Kannur: Former Congress leader T. C. Sebastian passed away just five days before a court awarded him Rs 10 lakh in compensation for injuries sustained in a 2010 road accident. The verdict was delivered 15 years after the incident.

The accident took place at around 7:00 pm on 23 May 2010, when 67-year-old Sebastian was walking along the footpath near NSS School in Alakode. He fell into a one-metre-wide gap between footpath slabs that had no warning sign or barrier, leading to a serious spinal injury.

Following the fall, Sebastian was admitted to Tejasvini Hospital in Mangalore for treatment.

Legal battle lasted 15 years

Sebastian first filed the case in Taliparamba court, and after a 2013 verdict, the matter was taken to appeal. The case dragged on for 15 years before being finally resolved by the Payyannur Sub Court, which ruled in favour of the victim.

In its verdict, the court held that the Kerala government and the PWD failed in their responsibility to ensure public safety.

Unfortunately, Sebastian died of a heart attack in the United States just five days before the judgment was delivered. Senior Advocate Saji Zacharias represented Sebastian in court.