Karuppaiah P v. The District Collector

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 18.07.2024

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MS JUSTICE R.N.MANJULA and W.M.P.(MD).No.13904 of 2024 P.Karuppaiah ... Petitioner Vs.

1.The District Collector, District Collector Office, Dindigul 624 001.

2.Grievance Redressal Officer / the Joint Director, Medical and Rural Health Service, Government Head Hospital, Dindigul 624 001 3.The District Forest Officer, District Forest Office, Kodaikanal Forest Division, Laas Cot Road, Kodaikanal-624 101.

4.The Senior Divisional Manager, United India Insurance Company Limited, Divisional Office VI, Sillingi Buildings, 134, Greens Road, Chennai-600 006.

... Respondents (Respondent No.4 suo motu impleaded as fourth respondent in W.P.(MD).No. 15993 of 2024 dated 18.07.2024) 1/6

PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents herein to sanction and disburse forthwith the benefits due to the petitioner viz., Medical Insurance Claim Rs. 2,50,000 /-.

For Petitioner : Mr.Ramesh Mahadev For R-1 to R-3 : Mr.J.Ashok, Additional Government Pleader For R-4 : Mr.A.Shajahan

O R D E R

By consent of both parties, the Writ Petition is taken up for final disposal at the admission stage itself.

2. Heard Mr.Ramesh Mahadev, learned counsel appearing for the petitioner, Mr.J.Ashok, learned Additional Government Pleader appearing for the respondent Nos.1 to 3.

3. The petitioner, who is said to be the beneficiary of the National Health Insurance Scheme, has filed this Writ Petition, seeking a direction to the respondents to sanction and disburse forthwith the benefits viz., medical insurance claim of a sum of Rs. 2,50,000 /- (Rupees Two Lakhs and Fifty Thousand only) to the petitioner.

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4. Mr.Ramesh Mahadev, learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner had sustained injuries during the course of his employment and he had spent a sum of Rs.2,50,000/- towards medical expenses. The petitioner has claimed the said medical reimbursement only under the National Health Insurance Scheme. But, for the reasons best known that the Insurance Company has not been arrayed as a party. He further submitted that pursuant to the treatment taken, the third respondent has also included the medical bills and sanctioned the same to the second respondent for necessary action. Further, the petitioner has also sent a representation dated 18.04.2022 to the third respondent claiming insurance. The third respondent has also forwarded the same to the second respondent through the proceedings dated 26.05.2022. However, the claim of the petitioner has not been looked into and sanctioned. Therefore, the petitioner is before this Court.

5. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case, this Court is inclined to suo motu implead the Senior Divisional Manager, United India Insurance Company Limited, Divisional Office VI, Sillingi Buildings, 134, Greens Road, Chennai-600 006, as fourth respondent in this Writ Petition. Mr.A.Shajahan, learned Standing Counsel takes notice for the newly impleaded fourth respondent.

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6. In view of the above, this Writ Petition is disposed of with a direction to the fourth respondent to consider and pass orders in the light of the recommendation made by the Medical Board. It is obligatory on the part of the fourth respondent to disburse the medical reimbursement, since the petitioner is a beneficiary under the medical insurance scheme. No costs. Consequently, the connected miscellaneous petition is closed.

18.07.2024 NCC:yes/no Index:yes/no Internet:yes/no TSG Note : Registry is directed to carry out the necessary amendment in the cause title.

To 1.The District Collector, District Collector Office, Dindigul 624 001.

2.Grievance Redressal Officer / the Joint Director, Medical and Rural Health Service, Government Head Hospital, Dindigul 624 001 4/6

3.The District Forest Officer, District Forest Office, Kodaikanal Forest Division, Laas Cot Road, Kodaikanal-624 101.

4.The Senior Divisional Manager, United India Insurance Company Limited, Divisional Office VI, Sillingi Buildings, 134, Greens Road, Chennai-600 006.

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R.N.MANJULA, J.

TSG 18.07.2024 6/6