MACT Awards ₹1.25 Crore to Amputee Mechanic Injured in Ghatkopar Crash
The Motor Accident Claims Tribunal in Mumbai has awarded Rs 1,25,51,800 in compensation to Rafik Rais Idrisi, a 31-year-old mechanic who suffered an above-knee amputation following a road accident near Nasir Hotel in Narayan Nagar, Ghatkopar. The tribunal directed the insurer to pay the amount alongside 7.5% annual interest from the date of the claim petition until realisation.
The incident took place on October 13, 2024, when Idrisi was travelling in an autorickshaw. A vehicle coming from the opposite direction at high speed collided with the autorickshaw near Nasir Hotel in Ghatkopar. The tribunal determined that the crash occurred entirely due to the rash and negligent driving of the offending vehicle.
Following the collision, Idrisi was initially taken to Rajawadi Hospital and subsequently received medical care at Hiranandani Hospital and KEM Hospital. He suffered severe trauma, including a compound Grade 3C fracture of the right femur shaft and right fibula, which ultimately led to the surgical amputation of his right leg above the knee.
At the time of the incident, Idrisi worked as a mechanic with Metro Waste Handling Pvt. Ltd., earning a monthly salary of Rs 40,000. Although an official medical board assessed his permanent disability at 80%, the tribunal held that he had suffered 100% occupational disability given the physical nature of his work as a mechanic.
The insurer, Shreeram General Insurance Co. Ltd., had sought to avoid liability by alleging that the driver of the offending vehicle lacked a valid driving licence, fitness certificate, or permit. However, the tribunal dismissed the defence of a policy breach after the insurer failed to produce any oral or documentary evidence to support its claims.
To compute the final compensation, the tribunal fixed Idrisi's September 2024 earnings at Rs 39,437 per month, including conveyance and regular extra-work payments. Adding 50% for future prospects and using a multiplier of 16, the tribunal awarded Rs 1.13 crore towards loss of future earning capacity. Additional sums were awarded for medical expenses, conveyance, special diet, and pain and suffering, bringing the total award to Rs 1,25,51,800.
