ISLAMABAD, Dec 3: The senior civil judge Islamabad, Justice Arshad Ali, on Monday admitted a suit of senior PPP leader and member National Assembly Dr Sherafgan Khan Niazi against a motor company for recovery of $25 million as compensation for the loss of his son’s life. The senior judge referred the case to the civil judge, Abdul Qayyum for hearing.

The plaintiff through his counsel also pleaded that the company should be stopped from selling cars with defective SRS air bag system and without genuine certification of internationally-recognized agency for the proper working.

The MNA pleaded that his son, Barum Khan, died in a road accident near PIMS on October 22 due to the faulty supplemental resistant system of the car he was driving.

He pleaded that the company in its guarantee book with prescription of safety, known as owner’s manual, categorically stated that the airbag system of the car during the accident, provides complete protection to the person who is driving the vehicle.

It was further stated that the airbag happens in a fraction of a second, so the airbag must be inflate with considerable force, while the system is designed to reduce serious injuries.

It was also pleaded that as per the manual, the airbag is designed to provide further protection to the driver when added to primary protection provided by the seat belt. It was also claimed the response to a severe frontal impact, the SRS airbag works together with the seat belt to prevent or reduce injury by the inflating, in order to decreases the likelihood of the drivers head or chest directly hitting the steering wheel. It was also stated that during the course of investigation the Islamabad police not found any fault in the driving or any violation of traffic rules against the deceased.

It was the sole responsibility of the manufacturer to ensure perfect operation of SRS air bag in case of frontal accident as claimed by the company in the manual.

The MNA requested the court that a decree for the recovery of $25 million under the Fatal Accident Act, 1855, as compensation to the family of the deceased be issued.