Disposed¶23

Baldev Singh v. State of Punjab and Others

Punjab & Haryana HC10 Nov 2025CWP/1067/2024

Case brief

AI extract

What is this about?

Delayed reimbursement of medical bills; interest as compensation for delay; gallbladder (Cholelithiasis) surgery claim; bills submitted 10.08.2021; sanction dated 13.04.2023 cancelled and reissued; Rs.1,09,509/- credited 09.02.2024; 6% per annum interest awarded from 21.12.2021 to 09.02.2024; harassment by respondents No.1 to 3; writ of mandamus; State of Punjab; respondent No.4-U.T. Chandigarh; CWP-1067-2024; High Court of Punjab & Haryana at Chandigarh; Justice Suvir Sehgal; disposed of.

What did the court decide?

Interest at 6% per annum from 21.12.2021 to 09.02.2024 on the delayed medical reimbursement, payable by respondents No.1 to 3 within four months from communication of the order. ¶23

Baldev Singh Vs State of Punjab and Others — Punjab & Haryana HC (2025) — LawSathi Research

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CWP-1067-2024

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IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB & HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH

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(260)

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CWP-1067-2024 Date of decision:- 10.11.2025

Baldev Singh

... Petitioner

Versus

State of Punjab and others

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... Respondents

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CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SUVIR SEHGAL

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Present:- Mr. Shrenik Jain, Advocate and Mr. Rohit Jindal, Advocate for the petitioner.

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Mr. H.P.S.Ishar, Additional Advocate General, Punjab

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Mr. Sanjeev Ghai, Advocate and Ms. Sukhmani Patwali, Advocate for respondent No.4-U.T., Chandigarh.

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********

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SUVIR SEHGAL, J. ( ORAL )

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Present petition has been filed, inter alia , for issuance of a writ, in the nature of mandamus, directing the respondents to reimburse the medical expense, incurred by the petitioner, along with interest at the rate of 18% per annum from the date it became due till its realization.

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Counsel for the petitioner submits that petitioner was hospitalized and operated for Gallbladder (Cholelithiasis). He submits that a total expenditure of Rs.1,31,887/- was incurred on the treatment and bills were submitted to respondent No.3 on 10.08.2021 for reimbursement. He points out that bills were sanctioned on 13.04.2023, but sanction was cancelled and a

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KAMAL SHARMA 2025.11.17 17:35 I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this order/judgment. High Court, Sector-1, Chandigarh.

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CWP-1067-2024 -2-

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fresh sanction letter was issued later. He states that payment of an amount of Rs.1,09,509/-, which was found due to the petitioner, was disbursed and the amount was credited electronically to his bank account on 09.02.2024 during the pendency of the instant petition. Counsel asserts that as the petitioner has faced harassment at the hands of respondents No.1 to 3 and there has been a delay in the disbursement of the reimbursement claim, petitioner should be suitability compensated.

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There is substance in the prayer made by counsel for the petitioner. 4. Petitioner had submitted bills in August, 2021 and payment has been released to him on 09.02.2024. Respondents No.1 to 3 are, therefore, liable to compensate him for delay in reimbursement of medical bills. Aforesaid respondents are directed to pay interest at the rate of 6% per annum to petitioner from 21.12.2021, i.e., three months after the submission of the claim till 09.02.2024, within a period of four months from the date of communication of a copy of this order.

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