Sindh government and bus driver held jointly responsible for 1992 crash
KARACHI: A civil court has ordered the Sindh government and a Karachi Transport Corporation (KTC) bus driver to jointly pay Rs10 million in compensation to a pedestrian who lost his right leg in a road accident more than three decades ago.
The ruling relates to an accident that occurred on March 9, 1992, on Korangi Road near the Akhtar Colony bus stop. According to court findings, the government-owned bus was being driven at excessive speed, on the wrong side of the road and in a rash and negligent manner when it struck Kishan Lal.
The collision caused severe injuries, forcing doctors to amputate Lal’s right leg above the knee.
Lal filed a damages suit in the Sindh High Court in 1994 against the Sindh government, through its transport secretary, and the bus driver, Mehmood. According to his counsel, Faraz Faheem, the case remained pending for decades before it was transferred to a civil court under the Sindh Civil Courts Amendment Act, 2025.
Court cites permanent disability
Senior Civil Judge South Sher Muhammad Kolachi ruled that both the Sindh government and the driver were jointly and severally liable for the plaintiff’s injuries, permanent disability and financial losses.
The court awarded Rs10 million after considering the permanent amputation, pain and suffering, mental distress, medical expenses, reduced earning capacity, future hardship and loss of normal life.
Additionally, the judge ordered payment of a 15% annual markup from the date the lawsuit was filed until the compensation is fully paid. However, the court did not award legal costs.
Judgment highlights long-term impact
The court observed that Lal was 27 years old at the time of the accident and worked as a skilled leather cutter, a profession requiring prolonged standing and physical mobility.
The judgment noted that the amputation significantly affected his ability to earn a livelihood while also impacting his social life, marital life, self-esteem and future prospects.
The court further held the Sindh government vicariously liable because the driver was operating a government-owned bus within the scope of his official employment when the accident occurred.
