Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir High Court on Thursday stayed the government order removing the director of the prestigious Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) Hospital after a TV sting operation caught its doctors practising in private against the norms.
“No reasons appear to have been given to support the (removal) order. Fairness has to be founded on reasons. The government could have justified its action by stating that some inquiry was pending against him (director),” held Justice M.K. Hanjura.
Quoting philosopher Voltaire that “the sentiment of justice is so natural, so universally acquired by all mankind, that it seems to me independent of all law, all party, all religion,” the judge observed: “The (government) order does not seem to be reasonable or in public interest. The order (issued on January 6) is stayed till the next date of hearing. However, this order shall be subject to objections from other side.”
The order comes as an embarrassment for the Mehbooba Mufti government, which removed three senior doctors and the director SKIMS, Dr. A.G. Ahanger, from their posts after a Delhi-based TV channel carried out the sting operation. The doctors were caught on camera practising in Srinagar despite taking non-practising allowance.
