In Brief
The Supreme Court reviewed an insurance company's appeal against a motor accident compensation award to the parents of a 26-year-old deceased IIT research fellow. The Court upheld the High Court's decision to include the deceased's Rs.12,000 monthly fellowship in computing his annual income at Rs.3,00,000, as supported by an official IIT certificate. However, it reduced the dependency compensation by applying a 50% deduction for personal expenses (rather than 1/3) as appropriate for a bachelor. The Court upheld awards for loss of love and affection and funeral expenses as exceptional, setting total compensation at Rs.26,75,000 with 9% interest from claim date.
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