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Meghashyam Sadashivrao Vadhave v. The State of Maharashtra & Ors.

Civil Appeal · Neutral citation not assigned (Civil Appeal No. 5964 of 2016)Decided 8 Jul 2016
Civil Appeal No. 5964 of 2016
Justice Kurian Joseph · Justice Rohinton Fali Nariman

Background

The appellant had been awarded compensation of only Rs. 15,000 by the High Court through an order dated 28th March, 2014, for a claim that, per the judgment's own reference to interest running "from 1986," appears to have originated three decades earlier. Dissatisfied with the quantum, the appellant appealed to the Supreme Court.

Decision Breakdown

The Supreme Court, without elaborating further on the underlying facts (which are not detailed in this short order), held that in the peculiar facts of the case the interest of justice would be served by enhancing the amount payable to the appellant to Rs. 1,00,000 as full and final settlement, to be paid within four weeks by the first respondent. The Court added a penal consequence: if not paid within that period, 12% interest would run on the amount from 1986, and the officers responsible for the delay would be personally liable. The appeal was finally disposed of with no order as to costs.

Lesson Learnt

The Supreme Court can and does step in to substantially enhance a clearly inadequate compensation award even at the final appeal stage, and it can attach personal accountability (interest liability on responsible officers) to enforce prompt government payment.

Official source (sci.gov.in)View Judgment (PDF)

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