Madras HC issues arrest warrant against UP officer

CHENNAI: The Madras high court has issued an arrest warrant against the executive officer of Nagarpalika Parishad of Etah district in Uttar Pradesh for his failure to implement court orders pertaining to payment of compensation to the family of a Tamil engineer killed in a road accident involving the parishad's tractor in Uttar Pradesh in 2004.

A division bench of Justice MM Sundresh and Justice MS Ramesh, before which the appeal filed by United India Insurance Company Limited came up for hearing, said: "Though the counsel filed a vakalat on behalf of the executive officer, he has not turned up to assist the court. It is also brought to our notice that even the order passed in the present appeal was not complied with. In such a situation, we are constrained to issue a bailable warrant to the executive officer, Nagarpalika Parishad, Etah district, Uttar Pradesh, ensuring his presence before this court on December 21."

M Pandidurai, aged 48 years, was working as a production officer with Hindustan Lever Ltd (HLL) in Uttar Pradesh. He died in a road accident January 28, 2004 when he was knocked down by a tractor trailer belonging to Etah district Nagar Palika.

The victim's wife, two minor children and his 85-year-old mother lived in Tamil Nadu, and they moved motor accidents claims tribunal in the state for compensation. In August 2007, the tribunal awarded Rs 28.27 lakh as compensation with 7.5% interest from April 2004. As on date the amount is Rs 55.03 lakh.

While the Nagar Palika filed an appeal against the order, the insurance company too filed an appeal saying they were unable proceed with the matter, as the executive officer, Nagarpalika Parishad of Etah district was not evincing interest to appear before the court.

The bench then issued the bailable arrest warrant to protect the interests of the victim's kin, who have been awaiting justice for more than 12 years.