Jammu: The High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh on Tuesday expressed serious concern over the delay in installation and commissioning of 128-slice CT Scan machines in major government hospitals across the Union Territory, observing that poor and helpless patients continue to suffer with every passing day.
Hearing a Public Interest Litigation titled Court on its own motion vs Commissioner/Secretary, Health and Medical Education Department and others, a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Arun Palli and Justice Rajnesh Oswal noted that despite delivery of the machines nearly two months ago, they are yet to become operational.
According to a fresh affidavit filed by Mohammad Ashraf Chowdhary, General Manager of the Jammu and Kashmir Medical Supplies Corporation Limited, CT scan machines meant for District Hospital Budgam, District Hospital Poonch, SMGS Hospital Jammu and Super Specialty Hospital Srinagar were delivered by a Japanese vendor on March 23, 2026.
However, installation and commissioning could not begin because the hospitals lacked the required 150 KVA three-phase permanent power supply.
The Bench observed that there was no indication that effective steps had been taken by the concerned authorities to ensure timely installation and operation of the machines for the benefit of patients.
Taking serious note of the issue, the Court impleaded the Jammu Power Development Corporation Limited and Kashmir Power Development Corporation Limited through their Managing Directors as party respondents and directed them to file specific affidavits regarding the status of permanent power supply at the identified hospitals.
The Court was also informed that for SMHS Hospital Srinagar, Chest Disease Hospital Jammu and Super Specialty Hospital Srinagar, the latest shipment dates under the Letter of Credit conditions are July 18 and July 26, 2026, and suppliers have assured delivery and installation within the stipulated timelines.
In another significant development, the Health and Medical Education Department informed the Court that an inquiry had found Dr. Vipan Mangotra, Professor and Head of Department, Radio-Diagnosis, GMC Jammu, guilty of engaging in private practice at a diagnostic facility in Reasi.
The inquiry report also pointed to irregularities in biometric attendance and failure to obtain station leave, following which formal disciplinary proceedings have been initiated against the doctor.
Amicus Curiae S. S. Ahmad submitted before the Court that the issue of private practice by government doctors required deeper investigation at the highest level, alleging that many doctors in government medical colleges and hospitals were engaged in private practice in violation of norms.
The High Court also directed the Senior Superintendent of Police, Jammu, to place the complete inquiry record before it for scrutiny.
The matter has been listed for further hearing on June 2, 2026.
