Victim Wins Rs. 1 Crore Compensation 34 Years After Losing Leg in KTC Bus Accident

A civil court has ordered the Sindh government and the driver to jointly pay Rs. 10 million in compensation to a pedestrian who lost his right leg in a Karachi Transport Corporation (KTC) bus accident more than 34 years ago.

Kishan Lal was hit by the bus on March 9, 1992, on Korangi Road near the Akhtar Colony bus stop. According to the case, the vehicle was being driven at excessive speed, on the wrong side of the road, and in a rash and negligent manner.

The accident left Lal with severe injuries, forcing doctors to amputate his right leg above the knee.

He filed a damages suit in the Sindh High Court (SHC) in 1994, naming the Sindh government through its transport secretary and bus driver Mehmood as defendants.

According to his lawyer, Faraz Faheem, the case remained pending before the SHC for decades before being transferred to a civil court under the Sindh Civil Courts Amendment Act in 2025.

Senior Civil Judge South Sher Muhammad Kolachi ruled that the Sindh government and the driver were jointly and severally liable for the injuries, financial losses, and permanent disability suffered by the plaintiff.

The court awarded Lal Rs. 10 million after considering his permanent amputation, pain and suffering, mental distress, reduced earning capacity, medical expenses, future hardship, and loss of normal life activities.

The judge also awarded him a 15% annual profit or markup from the date the case was filed until the full amount is paid. No order was issued regarding legal costs.

The court noted that Lal was only 27 years old at the time of the accident and earned his livelihood as a skilled leather cutter. His work required physical mobility and standing for long periods.

Following the amputation, his ability to continue in the profession was significantly reduced.

The judge observed that the disability affected not only Lal’s movement and earning capacity but also his social life, marital life, self-esteem, and future prospects.

The judgment stated that the evidence clearly showed that the bus was being driven recklessly near a public bus stop.

Since the driver was operating the government-owned bus during the course of his employment, the court held the Sindh government responsible for the negligent actions of its employee.