Mumbai MACT Awards ₹13.35 Crore To Families Of 2 HUL Employees Killed In 2018 Road Accident

Mumbai, August 24, 2026: The Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT), Mumbai, has awarded compensation of Rs 8,92,74,480 and Rs 4,42,96,600 to the families of two Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) employees who died in a road accident in 2018, after their car was hit by a tanker driven at an excessive speed. The driver was allegedly driving rashly and negligently and had crossed over to the wrong side of the road.

The accident was so severe that the deceased suffered a head-on impact, resulting in their deaths. The tribunal, in its orders, directed the insurance company to pay the entire compensation amount along with 7.5 per cent interest per annum from the date of filing of the respective claims in 2018.

Tribunal Rejects Insurance Plea

The tribunal, presided over by Member Shashikant Eknathrao Bangar, also rejected the insurance company's plea seeking exclusion of a period from the calculation of interest on the ground that the applicants had delayed the examination of witnesses after the issues were framed.

“The insurer seeks exclusion of a period on the ground that the applicants delayed examination of witnesses after issues were framed. Mere consumption of time in conducting evidence, without a specific judicial order depriving the claimants of interest or proof of deliberate abuse, is insufficient to deny statutory compensatory interest. The record reproduced before this Tribunal does not disclose any earlier order expressly suspending interest for a specified period,” the order stated.

First Claim By Gayatri Barve

The first case was filed by Kolhapur-based 40-year-old Gayatri Barve, who lost her 43-year-old husband, Girish Barve, in the accident in 2018. According to her petition, her husband was highly qualified and professionally successful and was employed with Hindustan Unilever Limited. His income for the financial year 2017-18 was stated to be Rs 94,70,610.

The petition further stated that Girish Barve was proposed to be transferred and promoted as Cluster Director at Silvassa with effect from August 1, 2018. He had approximately 19 years and 10 months of service remaining and, had he survived, his remuneration would have substantially increased.

Second Claim By Sonali Wadalkar

The second case was filed by Borivali-based 44-year-old Sonali Wadalkar, who lost her 45-year-old husband, Rakesh Wadalkar, in the same accident. According to the petition, the deceased was earning Rs 42,26,672 per annum.

“In August 2004, he joined Hindustan Unilever Limited and continued with that organisation for many years. The record contains appointment documents, reward reviews, salary revisions and promotion material. In May 2009, he had already progressed to Assistant Manufacturing Manager and his subsequent salary was periodically revised,” the order stated.

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Tanker Driver Named In Case

According to the case details, the accident occurred due to the alleged rash and negligent driving of Vaibhav Bhoyate, who was driving a tanker at an excessive speed. He allegedly crossed over to the wrong side of the road and violently collided with the Swift Dzire in which the two deceased employees were travelling.

An FIR was registered in connection with the accident at Khed police station.

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