A.V.PADMA vs R.VENUGOPAL .

The Supreme Court held that the Motor Accidents Claims Tribunal must consider the financial literacy of claimants when deciding on the disbursement of compensation amounts. The Court reiterated the guidelines from General Manager, Kerala State Road Transport Corporation v. Susamma Thomas, AIR 1994 SC 1631, emphasizing that long-term fixed deposits are mandatory for minors, illiterates, and widows, while semi-illiterate claimants may receive lump-sum payments if justified. The Court overturned the High Court's dismissal of the appellants' writ petition, allowing for the release of the entire compensation amount to the widow, A.V. Padma, without mandatory deposits for the daughters.