Sri Dulal Ch. Das v. The State of Tripura and 3 Ors

Order 10/01/2023

Heard Ms. A. Debbarma, learned counsel appearing for the petitioner. Also heard Mr. D. Sarma, learned Addl. G.A. appearing for the respondents-State.

¶2The petitioner, being the husband of one Lt. Chinu Bhowmik Das had submitted medical bills for reimbursement of the same, but, the respondents denied to reimburse the medical bills.

¶3The fact is that the wife of the petitioner was a Government employee. She was suffering from chronic kidney disease. As she wanted to get proper treatment outside the State, she appeared before the Standing Medical Board constituted by the State of Tripura for referring her to any hospital outside the State.

¶4After examination, the State Medical Board referred her to R. N. Tagore Hospital, Kolkata vide memo dated 26.12.2017. On the basis of that referral certificate, the petitioner went to R. N. Tagore Hospital, Kolkata on 28.12.2017. She was under treatment at R. N. Tagore Hospital from 31.12.2017 to 04.01.2018 as an indoor patient. Thereafter, she was treated there as an outdoor patient upto 07.03.2018. But, since her condition was not improved, she was compelled to go to CMC, Vellore. The doctors of CMC, Vellore diagnosed her as a patient of Hypertension, CKD Stage-5, Hypothyroidism, etc. She was treated there and thereafter came back to Agartala.

¶5Thereafter, she submitted medical reimbursement bills for the amount she spent. However, it was not granted to her. Ultimately, in the year 2021, she died.

¶6After her death, the petitioner, being the husband again submitted medical reimbursement bills, but, the respondents denied to reimburse the bills which complled the petitioner to file the instant writ petition.

¶7I have perused all the relevant records and considered the submissions of learned counsels appearing for the parties.

¶8The respondents till today have not reimbursed the medical bills as claimed by the petitioner. From the records it comes to light that the petitioner visited CMC, Vellore within the period of 6(six) months from the date of her referral.

¶9Considering the above facts and circumstances, I direct the respondents to consider the prayer of the petitioner and release all the bills in favour of him within a period of 3(three) months from today. I do not find any irregularities in the process of submission of the medical bills. However, the respondents are at liberty to examine the truthfulness of the medical bills and may inquire from the appropriate hospitals concerned or other authority in regard to the authenticity of the expenditure the petitioner made during the treatment of his wife and also the expenses made for to and fro journey from Agartala, Kolkata and CMC, Vallore after taking into account the relevant rules. With the aforesaid observations and directions, the instant writ petition stands allowed and disposed.

JUDGE

Rohit

HIGH COURT OF TRIPURA AGARTALA WP(C) No.964 of 2022 Sri Dulal Ch. Das ---Petitioner(s) Versus The State of Tripura & 3 Ors. ---Respondent(s) For Petitioner(s) : Ms. A. Debbarma, Advocate For respondent(s) : Mr. D. Sarma, Addl. G.A HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE ARINDAM LODH