In Brief
A truck driver died in an accident while attempting to prevent his unmanned truck from moving. His dependents claimed compensation under the Employees' Compensation Act. The Commissioner awarded Rs. 10,75,253, but the High Court reduced it to Rs. 6,00,000 without substantial reasoning and waived penalty with interest. The Supreme Court held the High Court erred: the Act does not require a substantial question of law to reduce compensation merely on 'interest of justice' grounds. The accident clearly arose out of employment; the worker's alleged negligence does not bar compensation. The employer failed to maintain wage records, so dependents cannot suffer. The Court restored the Commissioner's award of Rs. 10,92,850 with 12% interest from the accident date, plus costs.
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