The High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh initiated suo motu proceedings on Monday after a news report revealed the suspension of cardiac procedures at Government Super Speciality Hospital in Jammu due to unpaid dues under the Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY scheme.
According to details received by The Chenab Times, the court took note of the shutdown during a hearing on four pending Public Interest Litigations. The litigations seek improvements in medical infrastructure in capital cities and regulation of private nursing homes per national guidelines.
The bench of Chief Justice Arun Palli and Justice Rajnesh Oswal addressed issues unresolved for over a decade despite fifteen compliance reports from authorities. LiveLaw reported that the court had appointed Advocate S.S. Ahmed as Amicus Curiae to assist.
Ahmed examined the petitions and orders and requested time to prepare a structured affidavit on key issues. He highlighted a Daily Excelsior report on the disruption at GSSH. Suppliers halted deliveries of stents, pacemakers, balloons and Cath Lab consumables over dues of nearly ₹30 crore.
The court noted the hospital typically conducts 25 cardiac procedures daily. LiveLaw reported that no interventions occurred that day, endangering patients. The bench termed the matter highly sensitive and ordered immediate oversight.
The court directed the Registrar Judicial to register a new petition titled “Court on its own motion vs. Nemo” in public interest. It was listed for hearing the same day.
Proceedings in the existing PILs were deferred to December 29, 2025, at the Amicus Curiae’s request. The main case is Citizens Forum Vs State of J&K & Ors. Petitioners were represented by M/s S.S. Ahmed and Supriya Chouhan. Respondents included Ms. Monika Kohli, Senior Additional Advocate General, Mr. Ravinder Gupta, Additional Advocate General, and Ms. Deepika Mahajan, Senior Advocate with Ms. Insha.
The Chenab Times News Desk