In Brief
Srikanth, an unmarried self-employed person, was killed in a motor vehicle accident, leaving behind his aged mother and physically handicapped sister. The Tribunal awarded Rs. 4.08 lakhs (using multiplier 9 based on mother's age); the High Court enhanced it to Rs. 5.61 lakhs (income raised to Rs. 9,000/month). The Supreme Court held that the deceased's age, not the dependent's age, should determine the multiplier in such cases, adopting multiplier 17. The Court awarded additional compensation of Rs. 3.57 lakhs and set aside the High Court's order denying interest during appeal delay, directing full interest from claim date to payment date."
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