Supreme Court directs Centre to publicise road accident compensation scheme

This matter concerns a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) regarding road accident victims, specifically addressing the non-compliance with previous Court orders to publish annual accident reports and to frame a scheme for interim compensation under Section 164A of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.

Who it concerns: Petitioner: S. Rajaseekaran; Respondents: Union of India and others; Bench: Hon'ble Mr. Justice J.B. Pardiwala and Hon'ble Mr. Justice K.V. Viswanathan; Amicus Curiae: Mr. Gaurav Agrawal.

What the court decided

• The Court noted that the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) had not complied with the order dated 17.04.2025 to publish the 2023 annual report on road accidents by the end of August 2025.
• The Court directed the Union of India to reply as to why the direction regarding the publication of annual reports has not been complied with and what they propose to do.
• The Court noted that the Central Government has framed the 'Compensation to Victims (Interim Relief) Scheme, 2026' under Section 164A of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.
• The Court noted the submission that the Scheme is applicable only to claims arising from insured motor vehicles.
• Notice was issued returnable on 25.11.2026.

Also in the document

• The proceedings are interim in nature, with a notice returnable on 25.11.2026.
• The Court highlighted that Section 164A was brought into force on 1st April 2022 but remained unimplemented for three years until the recent framing of the Scheme.
• The Amicus Curiae and the applicant stated they were unaware of the newly framed Scheme until it was brought to their notice by the Additional Solicitor General.