In Brief
A truck driver employed to transport goods from Delhi to Baroda died during duty after feeling uneasiness while driving. The Commissioner awarded compensation to his dependents under the Workmen's Compensation Act, 1923, but the High Court reversed this, holding the death unrelated to employment. The Supreme Court restored the Commissioner's order, holding that even without a traditional accident, prolonged professional driving can materially contribute to unexpected death and constitutes an accident arising out of employment. The Court emphasised that long-distance driving places severe physical and mental strain on drivers and qualifies as an occupational hazard.
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