Today, the Supreme Court held that the loss of a wife's domestic care and services must be treated as a distinct head of compensation in motor accident claims under the Motor Vehicles Act, marking a significant development in compensation jurisprudence.

A Bench of Justice Sanjay Karol and Justice N. Kotiswar Singh delivered the ruling while enhancing compensation payable to a widower who lost his wife in a road accident.

The Court observed that the contribution of a homemaker extends beyond the household and plays a vital role in nation-building. Recognising this contribution, it fixed ₹30,000 per month as the notional value of domestic care services rendered by a homemaker.

"The loss of domestic care would be an additional ground in addition to what has been laid down in Pranay Sethi. We only hope and trust that the homemaker will now acquire the acronym of nation-builder," the Bench remarked.

Addressing the challenge of quantifying a homemaker's contribution in monetary terms, the Court said that a housewife contributes significantly to the growth of both the individual and the nation. It therefore evolved a new principle, supplementary to the framework laid down in National Insurance Company Ltd. v. Pranay Sethi, by recognising loss of domestic care as an independent component for determining compensation.

The Bench further directed attention to delays in motor accident compensation cases and urged Chief Justices of all High Courts to monitor their progress. It emphasised that proceedings under Section 169 of the Motor Vehicles Act are intended to be summary in nature and should be conducted accordingly.

"We have issued certain directions and we hope and trust that the Hon'ble Chief Justices of all the High Courts would monitor all these cases and that what is laid down under Section 169 of the Act, namely that it be a summary procedure, would be followed in letter and spirit," the Court stated.

The judgment arose from an appeal challenging a 2024 decision of the Punjab and Haryana High Court. The case related to a 2001 collision between two jeeps in which a woman lost her life. The High Court had awarded compensation of over ₹8 lakh to her husband and three children. The Supreme Court enhanced the compensation while recognising the loss of the deceased's domestic care as a separate compensable head

मामला: Shishupal @ Shish Ram & Ors. v. Surjeet & Ors.
केस नंबर: SLP(C) No. 33915/2025