Gujarat High Court Upholds Order Directing Municipality To Compensate Family Of Man Killed By Stray Bull

The Gujarat High Court upheld an order directing the Vadodara Municipal Corporation to pay compensation to the legal heirs of a motorcyclist who died after being struck by a stray bull.

The Court held that the accident occurred due to the Corporation’s negligence in maintaining public roads free from stray cattle.

Relying on the doctrine of res ipsa loquitur and statutory duties under the Bombay Provincial Municipal Corporations Act, the Court said the Corporation failed to exercise reasonable care to ensure public safety.

It found no reason to interfere with the trial court’s finding of contributory negligence and upheld the compensation awarded, while directing recovery from responsible officials after inquiry.

[Vadodara Municipal Corporation v. Mominaben Malbulbhai Ghanivala & Ors.]