Medical reimbursement claims must follow procedure via district health authorities and empowering committee.

4. The Joint Director of Health Services, Theni District. ... RespondentsPRAYER:Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of theConstitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents herein to forthwith reimburse the sum of Rs.61,500/- towards medical treatment expenses incurred by the petitioner for his illness from 9.9.2025 to 12.09.2025 as per discharge summary dated 12.09.2025.

For Petitioner : Mr.K.Appadurai For R1, 3 & 4 : Mr.S.Saji Bino Special Government Pleader For R2 : Mr.A.Shajahan

O R D E R

The present writ petition has been filed for a Mandamus directing the respondents herein to forthwith reimburse a sum of Rs.61,500/- towards medical treatment expenses incurred by the petitioner for his illness from 09.09.2025 to 12.09.2025 as per discharge summary dated 12.09.2025.

2. The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner claims to reimburse a sum of Rs.61,500/- towards medical expenses incurred by the petitioner. However, the same was returned by the second respondent. Hence, this petition.

3. The learned Special Government Pleader for the respondents 1, 3 and 4 submitted that the second respondent has issued a communication to the petitioner on 09.01.2026 stating that the petitioner has submitted the application directly to the second respondent, which is incorrect procedure. The petitioner ought to have submitted the application before the fourth respondent, who, in turn, after scrutinizing the records, will place the papers before the District Level Empowering committee, which will consider the petitioner’s application. Therefore, if the petitioner submits the application before the fourth respondent, the same will be considered through proper channel.

4. In view of the submission made by the learned Special Government Pleader, the petitioner is directed to submit all the papers before the fourth respondent within a period of three (3) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order and the fourth respondent shall scrutinize and forward the papers to the District Level Empowering Committee within two (2) weeks therefrom. The District Level Empowering Committee shall consider the petitioner’s claim and pass orders within a period of six (6) weeks therefrom.

5. With the above directions, this Writ Petition is disposed of. No costs.