TMC MLA Manik Bhattacharya under investigation for submitting fraudulent medical bill linked to jail stay

Trinamool Congress MLA Manik Bhattacharya is under investigation after submitting a medical bill to the West Bengal Assembly, which corresponds to a period when he was incarcerated in Presidency Jail. Bhattacharya, arrested in 2022 by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the multi-crore teacher recruitment scam, was in jail at the time the medical treatment was claimed. The medical bill was submitted for reimbursement under the Assembly's TA-DA section, which has raised concerns about the legitimacy of the claim.

According to Assembly rules, the responsibility for the medical treatment of prisoners lies with the jail authorities, not with the Assembly. Bhattacharya’s medical expenses during his time in jail should have been covered by the state prison system, raising questions about why such a claim was made through the Assembly. Once the discrepancy was noted, the Assembly secretariat flagged the bill for further review. Speaker Biman Banerjee instructed a thorough investigation, and legal experts were consulted to determine whether the claim followed the proper procedures for reimbursement.

In addition to the investigation into Bhattacharya’s claim, another controversy has emerged involving TMC MLA Kanchan Mullick. Mullick submitted a hospital bill for Rs 6 lakh for the birth of his child at a private hospital in Kolkata. The submission of private medical bills for reimbursement is under scrutiny, with both cases highlighting the need for transparency and adherence to Assembly rules governing reimbursement claims.

Bhattacharya, who was granted bail by the Calcutta High Court in September 2024, has not publicly commented on the medical bill matter. Sources within the Assembly confirmed that the issue is being thoroughly examined, with all bills submitted under the TA-DA section being closely scrutinized for compliance with the Assembly’s financial procedures. The investigation will determine if Bhattacharya’s bill was legitimate or if it violated the guidelines set for reimbursements.

The West Bengal Assembly has established protocols for the submission and reimbursement of medical and travel expenses. All claims are subject to review to ensure they comply with the rules, and the Assembly has assured that this case will be handled with full transparency. The investigation into Bhattacharya’s medical bill is ongoing, and the Assembly is working to uphold accountability and prevent misuse of funds.