In Brief
A husband, sole breadwinner of his family, died from injuries sustained in a motor accident. His wife, minor child, and parents claimed Rs. 15 lakhs in compensation. A tribunal awarded Rs. 13.97 lakhs based on assessed income and applicable multiplier. The High Court reduced this to Rs. 9.56 lakhs without assigning reasons. The Supreme Court held that appellate courts cannot arbitrarily reduce tribunal awards without cogent justification and proper reasoning. Finding the tribunal's award just and reasonable, the Court set aside the High Court's order and restored the tribunal's award of Rs. 13.97 lakhs.
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