Verdict upholds compensation for US-based Telugu woman who died in a road accident
The Supreme Court has directed the Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) to compensate the family of Lakshmi Nagalla, a non-resident Indian who died in a bus accident in 2009, with ₹9.64 crore. The ruling comes after a prolonged legal battle initiated by her husband, Shyam Prasad Nagalla, reported hindustantimes.com.
APSRTC held responsible for fatal collision in East Godavari district
Lakshmi, who held a master’s degree in computer sciences and was a permanent resident of the United States, was visiting India with her husband and daughters for a vacation.
On June 13, 2009, while traveling by car from Annavaram to Rajamahendravaram, an APSRTC bus collided with their vehicle, resulting in her tragic death.
Supreme Court restores original tribunal award after years of litigation.
An APSRTC official, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated that the corporation’s management would decide on the next steps after reviewing the court’s judgment
Following the accident, Shyam Prasad filed a case with the Secunderabad Motor Accidents Tribunal, claiming his wife earned $11,600 per month and that her untimely demise caused severe financial and emotional distress to the family. He sought ₹9 crore in compensation from APSRTC.
In 2014, the tribunal ruled in his favor, awarding ₹8.05 crore.
However, APSRTC challenged the decision in the Telangana High Court, which reduced the compensation to ₹5.75 crore in 2016. Dissatisfied with the outcome, Shyam Prasad appealed to the Supreme Court, which ultimately upheld the tribunal’s original award, directing APSRTC to pay ₹9,64,52,220.
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