STATE OF PUNJAB Vs. MOHINDER SINGH CHAWLA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) In CA No. 16979/96 @ SLP (C) No. 12472/96

(2.) This appeal by special leave arises from the judgment and order of the Division Bench of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, made on August 8, 1996 in CWP No. 15942/95.

(3.) The respondent had heart ailment which required replacement of two valves in the heart. Since the facility of the treatment was not available in the State Hospitals of Punjab, permission was given by the Director, with the approval of the Medical Board, to get the treatment outside the State. The respondent was sent for and had treatment in the AIIMS at New Delhi. The respondent submitted his medical bill on September 21, 1994 for reimbursement. While granting reimbursement for the actual expenses incurred in the sum of Rs. 1,29,000/-, the appellants rejected his bill for room rent paid to the hospital as inadmissible. The respondent filed writ petition stating that when he had undergone the treatment in the hospital as an inpatient, the payment of the room rent is an integral part of the expenses for treatment and, therefore, he is entitled to the reimbursement of the room rent paid. The Division bench directed payment of the said amount.