In Brief
Shankar Pradhan, employed as a driver, died in a truck accident on 26 June 1989 while driving an insured vehicle. His widow and two minor children sought compensation under the Workmen Compensation Act, but the Labour Court and High Court rejected their claim, finding no employment relationship. The Supreme Court reversed this, accepting the widow's consistent, unchallenged testimony that her husband earned Rs. 2000/- monthly as a driver. The Court awarded Rs. 1 lakh compensation, citing the credibility of the evidence, the family's 29-year struggle, and basic justice to destitute dependents.
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