In Brief
A deceased Indian worker in Qatar left a wife, two young children, and an elderly father. The Motor Accidents Claim Tribunal and High Court awarded him compensation, but the High Court deducted 2/3 of his salary as personal expenses. The Supreme Court held that such a large deduction was unreasonable. Given the high cost of living in Doha, the deceased's family dependants, and his foreign employment uncertainties, only 40% should be deducted. The Court awarded total compensation of Rs. 28 lakh (exceeding the claimant's claim of Rs. 25 lakh), reaffirming that courts must award 'just compensation' based on evidence, unbound by the claimed amount.
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