High Court Seeks Updated Status on CT Scan Installation Across Jammu Kashmir Hospitals | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: The High Court of Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh has directed the Health and Medical Education Department and the Jammu and Kashmir Medical Supplies Corporation Limited (JKMSCL) to submit fresh affidavits regarding the installation and operational status of CT Scan machines in hospitals across the Union Territory.

The order was passed by a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Arun Palli and Justice Rajnesh Oswal while hearing a suo motu Public Interest Litigation (PIL) related to healthcare infrastructure. The matter has been listed for further hearing on May 14, 2026.

During the proceedings, the court was informed about an inquiry initiated against D Vipan Mangotra, Professor and Head of the Department of Radio-diagnosis at Government Medical College, Jammu, over allegations of engaging in private practice in violation of prescribed norms and Government Order No. 43-HME of 2013.

The government submitted that a fact-finding inquiry was ordered on March 27, 2026, with Akriti Sagar, Special Secretary to the Government, appointed as the Inquiry Officer. The Senior Additional Advocate General informed the court that the probe is ongoing and is expected to conclude within a week, following which appropriate action will be taken.

On the status of CT Scan facilities, JKMSCL stated that machines for District Hospital Budgam and District Hospital Poonch have already been delivered, with installation work nearing completion. Several other hospitals, including SMGS Hospital Jammu, SMHS Hospital Srinagar, Super Specialty Hospital Srinagar, Chest Disease Hospital Jammu, and Super Specialty Hospital Jammu, are at various stages of delivery and installation.

Appearing virtually, Mohd Ashraf Chowdhary, General Manager (Administration), JKMSCL, informed the bench that machines at DHS Kashmir and District Hospital Budgam are under installation and expected to become operational within a week. Machines at DHS Jammu and District Hospital Poonch have already been installed and are likely to be functional soon.

The court was also informed that the CT Scan machine for SMGS Hospital Jammu was delivered on April 10, 2026, and would require around two weeks for completion of civil works and installation. Meanwhile, machines for Chest Disease Hospital Jammu, SMHS Hospital Srinagar, and Super Specialty Hospital Jammu are expected to be delivered in the first week of June, with procurement being coordinated with Japan-based vendors.

Taking note of the submissions, the bench granted two weeks’ time to the concerned departments and JKMSCL to file updated affidavits reflecting actual progress on the ground. Additionally, the court directed the Senior Superintendent of Police, Jammu, to submit a report regarding the ongoing inquiry.(KNC)