Thane Tribunal Awards ₹14.81 Lakh to Family of Woman Killed in 2011 Mokhada Jeep Crash
The Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT) in Thane has awarded ₹14.81 lakh in compensation to the family of a 21-year-old woman who died in a 2011 jeep accident on Kasara-Khodala Road near Udhale village in Mokhada. On July 18, 2026, MACT Chairman R.D. Sawant announced the decision, holding the jeep driver solely responsible for the fatal crash and ordering the insurance company to pay the compensation before recovering it from the vehicle owner.
The accident occurred on June 23, 2011, when a Commander Jeep carrying several passengers was travelling on the Kasara-Khodala Road near Udhale village. According to the claimants, the driver ignored repeated requests from the passengers to slow down the vehicle. The driver subsequently lost control of the jeep, which then plunged nearly 200 feet into a valley.
The victim, Usha Deepak Bhakre, sustained severe head injuries during the plunge. She was taken to the Nashik Civil Hospital, where she later died from her injuries.
The insurance company contested the compensation claim, arguing that the vehicle was covered only under an "Act Only" policy and that the terms and conditions of the policy had been breached. However, MACT Chairman R.D. Sawant rejected the insurer's contentions, ruling that the insurance company had failed to prove these allegations with proper evidence.
To reach its conclusion, the tribunal relied on the First Information Report (FIR), the police chargesheet, and established Supreme Court precedents. The tribunal determined that the accident was a direct result of the driver's rash and negligent driving.
In calculating the final compensation amount, the tribunal assessed Bhakre's monthly income at ₹7,000. After accounting for future prospects, the tribunal awarded a total sum of ₹14,81,128 to Bhakre's family.
The tribunal also directed that the award be paid with 7% annual interest, calculated from the date the claim petition was filed until the final realization of the payment. The insurer was ordered to first pay the compensation to the family, with the liberty to recover the paid amount from the vehicle owner later.
