MVA Section 161: Special provisions as to compensation in case of hit and run motor accident
Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 · Chapter 11: INSURANCE OF MOTOR VEHICLES AGAINST THIRD PARTY RISKS
¶161. Special provisions as to compensation in case of hit and run motor accident.—(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force or any instrument having the force of law, the Central Government shall provide for paying in accordance with the provisions of this Act and the scheme made under sub-section (3), compensation in respect of the death of, or grievous hurt to, persons resulting from hit and run motor accidents.
(2) Subject to the provisions of this Act and the scheme made under sub-section (3), there shall be paid as compensation,—
(a) in respect of the death of any person resulting from a hit and run motor accident, a fixed sum of two lakh rupees or such higher amount as may be prescribed by the Central Government;
(b) in respect of grievous hurt to any person resulting from a hit and run motor accident, a fixed sum of fifty thousand rupees or such higher amount as may be prescribed by the Central Government.
(3) The Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, make a scheme specifying the manner in which the scheme shall be administered by the Central Government or General Insurance Council, the form, manner and the time within which applications for compensation may be made, the officers or authorities to whom such applications may be made, the procedure to be followed by such officers or authorities for considering and passing orders on such applications, and all other matters connected with, or incidental to, the administration of the scheme and the payment of compensation under this section.
(4) A scheme made under sub-section (3) may provide that,—
(a) a payment of such sum as may be prescribed by the Central Government as interim relief to any claimant under such scheme;
(b) a contravention of any provision thereof shall be [liable to penalty which shall not be less than one lakh rupees but which may extend to five lakh rupees];
(c) the powers, functions or duties conferred or imposed on any officer or authority by such scheme may be delegated with the prior approval in writing of Central Government, by such officer or authority to any other officer or authority.
Study: explanations and related material
Official reference: India Code, Government of India — edition as on 15 August 2026 — source review: 2 October 2026.Recorded edition / snapshot date: 2026-08-15.Banaka reference transcription, not an official or certified edition. General central text: regional amendment blocks are not consolidated. This edition includes Jan Vishwas 2026 changes effective 15 August 2026. Amendment brackets are retained; footnotes and superscript reference numerals are excluded. Consult the complete government PDF for schedules, amendment notes and authoritative wording. State rules and notifications may differ. Hindi guides are original explanations, not a statutory translation.Read the original schedule and amendment notes
This text is for reference, not legal advice. Consult the official source for the authoritative text.
Other sections in this chapter
- 145. Definitions
- 146. Necessity for insurance against third party risks
- 147. Requirements of policies and limits of liability
- 148. Validity of policies of insurance issued in reciprocating countries
- 149. Settlement by insurance company and procedure therefor
- 150. Duty of insurers to satisfy judgments and awards against persons insured in respect of third party risks
- 151. Rights of third party against insurers on insolvency of insured
- 152. Duty to give information as to insurance
- 153. Settlement between insurers and insured persons
- 154. Saving in respect of sections 151, 152 and 153
- 155. Effect of death on certain causes of action
- 156. Effect of certificate of insurance
- 157. Transfer of certificate of insurance
- 158. Production of certain certificates, licence and permit in certain cases
- 159. Information to be given regarding accident
- 160. Duty to furnish particulars of vehicle involved in accident
- 162. Scheme for golden hour
- 163. Refund in certain cases of compensation paid under section 161
- 164. Payment of compensation in case of death or grevious hurt, etc
- 164A. Scheme for interim relief for claimants
- 164B. Motor Vehicle Accident Fund
- 164C. Power of Central Government to make rules
- 164D. Power of State Government to make rules