Inquiry Into Youth’s Death at Paras Hospital Still Pending, Health Department Silent After Three Months

SRINAGAR: Four months after the death of a young man at Paras Hospital in Srinagar, the inquiry ordered by the Health Department into the circumstances leading to the tragedy remains shrouded in silence, leaving the bereaved family and the public without answers.

The youth, whose condition had reportedly deteriorated under questionable circumstances, succumbed despite medical intervention. His death had triggered widespread concern, prompting the Health Department to bar several doctors from practicing at Paras Hospital pending inquiry. However, even after the passage of time, no findings have been made public and accountability remains elusive.

Repeated attempts to seek clarification from the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Srinagar, failed to yield a response, raising questions about transparency within the department.

“We lost our son, and all we ask for is truth and accountability. Instead, there is a disturbing silence,” a family member said adding that they are eager to know how their loved one died.

Family argues that the Health Department’s reluctance to release the inquiry report undermines public trust in the healthcare system. “If a high-profile case like this is brushed aside, what hope is left for ordinary patients?” remarked a relative of the deceased man.

Meanwhile, Paras Hospital continues to project its achievements and performance, further aggravating public anger. Many in Srinagar believe that without strict accountability, such incidents risk repeating themselves.

The absence of clarity in the case not only prolongs the agony of the family but also reflects poorly on the state of health governance in Jammu and Kashmir.

Notably, a youth, Wasim Ahmed Pathan, had been admitted to Paras Hospital on May 15, 2025, where he underwent surgery for carcinoma of the left colon, but he died under mysterious circumstances, prompting the Health Department to constitute an inquiry team. Even after the expiry of 4 months, neither the health department nor the Paras Hospital uttered a word about it. [KNT]