In Brief
Six workmen injured in a road accident were awarded compensation by the Workmen's Compensation Commissioner (35–40% permanent disability). The High Court re-examined the evidence and drastically reduced the awards to 5% disability, treating it as a matter of law rather than fact. The Supreme Court allowed the appeal, holding that the Commissioner is the final authority on factual matters. Under the Workmen's Compensation Act, 1923, the High Court's appellate power is limited to substantial questions of law; it cannot re-appreciate evidence or substitute its own findings unless the Commissioner's award is based on no evidence or is perverse. The Court restored the original award.
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