Delhi High Court Denies Advocate’s Medical Reimbursement Claim Under CM Advocates Welfare Scheme due to Lack of Verification

The Delhi High Court has ruled that registration under the Chief Minister Advocates Welfare Scheme (CMAWS) does not automatically entitle an advocate to insurance benefits unless the advocate’s enrolment details and Electoral Photo Identity Card (EPIC) information have been successfully verified by the competent authorities.

In Prithipal Singh v. Government of NCT of Delhi, Justice Anish Dayal dismissed a petition filed by an advocate who sought reimbursement of medical expenses incurred during his treatment for prostate cancer in 2022. The Court observed that the petitioner was not included in the scheme’s verified beneficiary list when the claim arose and therefore could not demand reimbursement as a matter of right.

The advocate argued that he had previously received benefits under the scheme, including reimbursement for COVID-19 treatment and coverage for cataract surgery, which led him to believe that his insurance protection remained active. However, the Court noted that those benefits had been extended during an earlier phase of litigation when even unverified applicants were temporarily granted coverage pursuant to judicial directions.

After a Division Bench stayed that earlier judgment, insurance benefits continued only for advocates whose credentials had been verified. The Court found that the petitioner’s EPIC details remained unverified and that he failed to utilise opportunities provided by authorities to update his records or submit a fresh application in 2022.

The Court further rejected the plea of legitimate expectation, holding that eligibility under the welfare scheme depended on successful verification and not merely on prior registration. Consequently, the writ petition seeking reimbursement was dismissed.