Allahabad High Court
LOK PAL SINGHversusSTATE OF U.P. AND 3 OTHERS
- Decided
- Bench
- PRAKASH PADIA
Holding
The order refusing the medical reimbursement on the ground of delay is quashed, and the claim must be decided on merits.
Summary
The petitioner, Lok Pal Singh, filed a writ petition challenging an order dated 16 May 2024 issued by the District Cane Officer, Bulandshahr, which rejected his claim for medical reimbursement of Rs.86,291 on the ground that the bills were not submitted within the prescribed three‑month period. The petitioner contended that the delay was due to circumstances beyond his control and that the medical officer’s negligence caused the late submission. The Court examined the records and found that the rejection was solely based on procedural delay despite the petitioner’s valid claim for eye treatment. On humanitarian grounds, the Court held that the order was unreasonable and ordered its quashment. The respondent was directed to adjudicate the reimbursement claim on its merits within three weeks and, if found payable, to disburse the amount within two weeks, and the writ petition was allowed.
Issues considered
- What is the legality of rejecting a medical reimbursement claim solely on the basis of a procedural delay of three months?
- Whether the order of the District Cane Officer can be quashed on humanitarian and equitable grounds?
Subjects
- medical reimbursement
- procedural delay
- administrative order
- writ petition
- quashing order
- humanitarian grounds
Judgment
HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT ALLAHABAD
WRIT - A No. - 6899 of 2026
Lok Pal Singh
.....Petitioner(s)
Versus
State Of U.P. And 3 Others
.....Respondent(s)
Counsel for Petitioner(s) : Raj Mohan Saggi
Counsel for Respondent(s) : C.S.C.
Court No. - 6
HON'BLE PRAKASH PADIA, J.
1. Heard Sri R. M. Saggi, learned counsel for the petitioner and learned
Standing Counsel for the respondent-State.
2. The order dated 16.05.2024 passed by the District Cane Officer, Cane
Department, Bulandshahr/respondent no.4 by which he refused to accept
the payment of medical reimbursement bills of the petitioner to the tune
of Rs.86,291/- on the ground that same were not submitted within a
period of three months is under challenge in the present writ petition.
3. It is argued by counsel for the petitioner that for the reasons beyond
control of the petitioner the bills were not submitted within three months
and the same was submitted only two months delay.
4. From perusal of the records as well as from perusal of the order
impugned it appears that due to negligence on part of the Medical Officer
the medical reimbursement bills submitted by the petitioner for the
purpose of treatment of eyes was rejected only on the ground of delay.
5. In this view of the matter and taking a humanities ground the order
dated 16.05.2024 passed by the respondent no.4 (appended at page-43 of
the paper book) is quashed. The respondent no.4 is directed to consider
and decide the claim of the petitioner for medical reimbursement on
merits within a period of three weeks from today and in case it is found
that petitioner is entitled for medical reimbursement the same should also
be paid to him within two weeks from the date of passing of the order.
WRIA No. 6899 of 2026
2
6. In view of the same, present writ petition is allowed.
(Prakash Padia,J.)
May 7, 2026
Pramod Tripathi
Digitally signed by :-
PRAMOD TRIPATHI
High Court of Judicature at Allahabad
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