Pune: In a heartening instance of swift legal action, the family of a young man who tragically lost his life in a road accident has been awarded ₹28 lakh in compensation within a year of the incident. The settlement was reached during a Lok Adalat held on Saturday, October 28.

Prashant Parvati Date, a resident of Sukulwadi in Purandar Taluka, was employed at the Jejuri MIDC and earned a monthly salary of ₹23,000. On August 30, 2023, while commuting to work on his two-wheeler with a friend riding pillion, Prashant met with a fatal accident.

A State Transport (ST) bus, driving on the wrong side of the road, collided with his motorcycle. Though he was rushed to the nearest rural hospital, he was declared dead on arrival.

Devastated by the sudden loss, Prashant’s father and two sisters sought compensation for their irreparable loss. They filed a claim with the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal through their lawyers, Adv. A.G. Bansode and Adv. Anuradha Bhombe.

The legal team filed a case against the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation on October 28, 2023, citing Prashant’s salary, his age, and his dependents as grounds for seeking substantial compensation.

In a rare and commendable instance of efficient legal proceedings, the case was settled amicably within the Lok Adalat. The applicants’ lawyers, along with the legal advisor of the State Transport Corporation, Adv. Atul Gunjal, played instrumental roles in facilitating the settlement. The family was awarded ₹28 lakh, bringing some relief to the grieving relatives.

Advocates Bansode and Bhombe expressed their satisfaction in securing timely justice for Prashant’s family. “We are glad that the family received the compensation they deserve in such a short time. This outcome is a testament to the efficiency of the Lok Adalat system,” they said.