Legal Heirs Of Deceased Tortfeasor Not Entitled To Compensation Under MV Act: Supreme Court

​​The Supreme Court held that legal heirs of a person who dies due to their own rash and negligent driving cannot claim compensation under Section 166 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.

The bench of Justices PS Narasimha and R Mahadevan upheld the Karnataka High Court’s decision denying ₹80 lakh compensation to the family of N.S. Ravisha, who died in a self-caused car accident. 

Citing Ningamma v. United India Insurance Co. Ltd, the Court ruled that heirs of a self-tormentor cannot claim compensation, and the insurance company is not liable for such self-inflicted harm. (G. Nagarathna & Ors. V G. Manjunatha & Anr.)