Judge caught in lawyers’ infighting? Allahabad HC slams MACT for order to withhold compensation to woman

The Allahabad High Court has directed the Presiding Officer of Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT) in Uttar Pradesh to explain why he has delayed a decision on payment of compensation to a widow who has been waiting for relief for close to two decades [Renoo Singh v Motor Accident Claim Tribunal Distt. Sultanpur And Another].Justice Jaspreet Singh found that at a Lok Adalat on September 14, 2019, the High Court had ordered the compensation amount be released within 60 days but the woman was yet to receive the amount even after six years.The record indicated that a dispute existed between the woman’s former lawyer and her current lawyer and the MACT had passed an order that without hearing the woman's previous lawyer, the amount should not be released.The Court asked the Presiding Officer of MACT in Sultanpur district to explain under what authority of law he passed the order to not release the amount.“From a perusal of the order dated 06.02.2026, the manner and the content of the order passed by the Presiding Officer of the M.A.C.T Sultanpur indicating that without hearing the erstwhile counsel of the petitioner, the amount cannot be withdrawn and it is not acceptable and it raises a question that under what authority the Presiding Officer of the M.A.C.T Sultanpur could have passed such order,” the Court said..The Court called it alarming that the tribunal had involved itself in the infighting between two counsel, adding that such situation cannot be countenanced at all.“Let explanation be furnished by the Presiding Officer by the next date,” the Court directed..In September 2007, a compensation of ₹7.12 Lakh had been awarded to the woman under the Motor Vehicles Act following her husband’s death in a road accident. United India Insurance Company later appealed the decision but withdrew the same in September 2019. Lok Adalat then ordered payment of compensation to the widow within 60 days.Calling it unfortunate that the woman was yet to receive the amount, the Court said,“By means of the instant petition, the petitioner has raised an issue which reflects a very unhappy situation.”The matter will be heard next on April 10. .Advocates Vinod Kumar Singh, Nandu, Saurabh Upadhyay and Upasana Singh represented the petitioner.Advocate Vijay Dixit appeared for the High Court..[Read Order]