The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : APSRTC directed to pay compensation to passenger

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Saturday, Jan 05, 2008
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

APSRTC directed to pay compensation to passenger

Prabhakkar Sharma

VISAKHAPATNAM: The Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) was directed by the Visakhapatnam District Consumer Forum-I to pay a consumer Rs.2 lakhs as compensation for physical suffering and mental agony.

According to the case record, T. Rajeswari, 60, of Sivajipalem in the city was travelling along with her sister from Vepagunta to Maddilapalem by ‘Vegam’ RTC bus in March, 2006. Just before the destination approached, fire broke out from the batteries below her front seat. Her saree caught fire and she sustained severe burns. She was rushed to hospital where she underwent treatment as an inpatient for nearly two weeks and the treatment continued later for quite sometime. She suffered severe pain, mental agony and hardship. Her right leg developed deformity due to severe burns which also left indelible scars on both her legs.

Complaint filed

The consumer filed a complaint (341/2006) against the APSRTC represented by its zonal manager in Vizianagaram and Depot Manager of Maddilapalem in the city for compensation and costs.

The opposite parties (OP) said that an inquiry was conducted into the incident which occurred when someone threw a burning cigarette into the bus. The fire had nothing to do with bus service, they contended, adding that the crew prevented the fire from spreading and averted injuries.

President of the Forum-I Y. Dhilleswara Rao and members G. Viswanatha Reddy and D. Suseela, who examined the evidence, said it had established that the accident was due to negligent maintenance of the bus.

Noting that failure to take the passenger to destination after collecting fare is deficiency in service. And, if the passenger was taken to the destroyer (fire), it was deficiency in service of higher order. The accident resulted in the consumer sustaining burns and put to mental agony for quite a long period.

In the result, the forum awarded Rs.2 lakhs as compensation and another Rs.1,000 towards cost of litigation.

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