WP(C)/255/2025 of Dr. Subrata Kumar Pal Vs The State of Tripura and 3 Ors. on 26 March 2026

1. The State of Tripura, Being represented by the Commissioner/Secretary, Department of Health, Govt. of Tripura, New Secretariat Complex, Kunjaban, Agartala, West Tripura, Pin – 799010.

2. The Director of Health Services, Govt. of Tripura, Pandit Nehru Complex, Gurkhabasti, P.O- Kunjaban, Agartala, West Tripura, Pin - 799006.

3. The Superintendent, IGM Hospital, Agartala, P.O.- Agartala, P.S. - West Agartala, Dist - West Tripura, Pin - 799001.

4. The Secretary, Department of Finance, Govt. of Tripura, Secretariat Complex, P.S- New Capital Complex, Agartala, West Tripura, Pin - 799010. ……….Respondent(s)

For Petitioner(s) : Mr. Mr. Ankan Tilak Paul, Advocate, Ms. Hritubarna Das, Advocate.

For Respondent(s) : Mr. Mangal Debbarma, Addl. G.A.

HON’BLE THE CHIEF JUSTICE MR. M.S. RAMACHANDRA RAO =O=R=D=E=R= 26/03/2026

Heard the counsel for the petitioner and the learned Additional Government Advocate for the State.

In this Writ Petition, petitioner had sought release of medical reimbursement bills amounting to Rs.16,66,143.82 along with interest @ 9% including sanctioned bill of Rs.2,92,842/- and Rs.3,00,840/-.

On the previous date of hearing, this Court passed the following order:- “Learned Additional Government Advocate Mr. Mangal Debbarma shall obtain instructions as to why in spite of admission in the Order dt.13.11.2017 in WP(C) No.112/2017, that amounts of Rs.3,00,840/- and Rs.2,92,842/- were already sanctioned, a false averment is made in para 6(a) and 6(b) as under:

" 6. ... (a) As stated earlier, there is no record in the Accounts Section of this Directorate regarding the receipt of a Medical Re-imbursement bill of Rs.3,00,840/- in respect of Dr. Subrata Kr. Pal (Retd.). However, should the petitioner establish that the bill was submitted and is legally admissible, and if the Hon’ble Court directs disbursement, the Department shall remain bound by the law of the land and comply accordingly. (b) Regarding the bill of Rs.2,92,842/-, the Department reiterates its position that if the bill has been submitted, the petitioner may be entitled to re-imbursement, subject to verification.””

As directed in the previous order dt. 24.03.2026, learned Additional Government Advocate has stated on instructions that the petitioner was previously asked on 25.08.2017 to re-submit medical reimbursement bills for further reconsideration, but till date there is no record found available for re-submission of those bills by the petitioner as per the said order. Thus, the petitioner is sought to be blamed for not resubmitting the bills by the official respondents.

This stand taken by the official respondents cannot be countenanced because there is an admission made by them in the previous litigation, i.e. WP(C) No. 112/2017 between the same parties. It is recorded in the order dt.13.11.2017 in that Writ that amounts of Rs.3,00,840/- and Rs.2,92,842/- had already been sanctioned by the respondents, (see para-5, page 6 of the said order at serial No.6 and 7). Such sanction is obviously given because the bills submitted were found to be in order. Therefore, there is no justification for not releasing the said amounts to the petitioner.

Therefore, to the extent of these payments, the respondents No. 1 to 4 are directed to release the said amounts forthwith along with interest @ at 9% from the date of sanction of the said bills till payment.

As regards the other claims made by the petitioner, since the petitioner has not complied with the order passed in the said Writ Petition, i.e. not re-submitted them after complying with requisite formalities, the petitioner is not entitled to any relief because the petitioner cannot take advantage of his own wrong.

This Writ Petition is disposed of accordingly.

Pending application(s), if any, also stands disposed of.

(M.S. RAMACHANDRA RAO, CJ)

Manti D/B SIDDHARTHA LODH Digitally signed by SIDDHARTHA LODH Date: 2026.03.27 13:29:28 +05'30'