In Brief
The Supreme Court set aside the High Court's judgment that had rejected a workmen's compensation claim as contested. The deceased, Vakil Choudhary, a truck driver, died in a 2011 road accident. His wife, son, and parents sought compensation. The Court held that merely filing a written statement does not make a case contested; active contestation is required. Since the insurer did not cross-examine witnesses, the claim was maintainable before the Deputy Labour Commissioner. The Court then reassessed compensation, accepting the employer's admission that the deceased earned Rs. 6,000 p.m., rather than the Rs. 150 per day originally applied. With a 50% deduction for family dependents' loss and a multiplier of 221.37, the Court awarded Rs. 6,64,110 plus 12% annual interest from one month after the accident.
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