Tribunal orders insurance co to pay 1.15cr to child in coma

Kozhikode: The motor accidents claims tribunal (Mact) has ordered an insurance firm to pay a compensation of Rs 1.15 crore to nine-year-old Dhrishana, the victim of the hit-and-run accident on the national highway at Chorode near Vadakara in Feb 2024.She has been in a coma since sustaining severe injuries in the crash. Mact issued the order in the adalat organized by the Vadakara taluk legal service society. The amount is to be paid by the National Insurance Company. The intervention of the high court and legal services authority proved crucial in the case.The accident occurred on the night of Feb 17, 2024, at Chorode in Vadakara, when Drishana and her grandmother Baby, 68, were walking to the house of a relative. A speeding car hit them and fled. Baby died on the spot, while Drishana daughter of Sudheer and Smitha hailing from Mele Chovva in Kannur suffered severe injuries and was admitted to Kozhikode Medical College Hospital. The tragic condition of the child and the failure to trace the vehicle for months had triggered widespread discussion. The high court later took suo motu cognisance and directed police to constitute a special investigation team. The probe eventually identified the vehicle, and the accused Shajeel of Purameri, who had fled abroad was brought back and arrested.Drishana is currently undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Kottayam. Of the total compensation, Rs 25 lakh is to be released for immediate treatment expenses, and the remaining amount will be deposited in the child's name in a bank. Withdrawals will be permitted only with court approval. Advocate V K Fousiya appeared for the taluk legal services committee.

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