Jammu Kashmir HC Declines Fresh Medical Relief for Mian Qayoom: Says Supreme Court Already Monitoring Health | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: The High Court of Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh has dismissed a fresh application seeking urgent medical directions for former Kashmir High Court Bar Association president Mian Abdul Qayoom, holding that it cannot issue “parallel or overlapping directions” when the Supreme Court of India is already seized of the matter.

The application, filed by Qayoom’s wife, cited his deteriorating health condition and sought immediate intervention. It was stated that Qayoom, currently lodged in District Jail, Amphalla, Jammu, had complained of acute pain on the right side of his abdomen during a telephonic conversation. He was subsequently taken to Government Medical College, Jammu, where an ultrasound reportedly indicated multiple cysts in his right kidney.

Hearing the matter, Justice Wasim Sadiq Nargal noted that the apex court, through its order dated February 24, 2026, had already directed the Director of AIIMS Jammu to constitute a special medical team to examine the petitioner and assess the need for further treatment, including possible transfer to a higher medical centre such as Delhi.

The High Court observed that these directions were “specific and comprehensive,” covering all aspects of the petitioner’s medical evaluation and care. “Having regard to the fact that the Hon’ble Supreme Court is already seized of the matter… this Court is of the considered view that it would not be appropriate to issue any parallel or overlapping directions at this stage,” the court held.

During the hearing, senior advocate Z.A. Qureshi, appearing for the applicant along with Mian Rouf and Anurag Verma, did not dispute the existence of the apex court’s directions. However, he submitted that Qayoom’s recent complaints of abdominal pain and the detection of kidney cysts arose after the medical report by the AIIMS special team, which had earlier described his condition as stable.

The court, while acknowledging the constitutional principle that the right to life includes the right to health and timely medical care—even for inmates—declined to intervene in view of the ongoing proceedings before the apex court. The matter, it noted, is already listed before the Supreme Court on April 21, 2026.

Justice Nargal also pointed out that the applicant had failed to place on record the relevant orders passed by the Supreme Court on February 24 and March 24, 2026. The court said it was incumbent upon the petitioner’s side to make a “full and fair disclosure of all material facts and orders” having a direct bearing on the case.

“In view of the aforesaid reasons, the present application is not maintainable and is liable to be dismissed,” the court ruled.

However, the High Court clarified that the dismissal would not prejudice Qayoom’s right to seek appropriate relief before the competent forum, including the Supreme Court.

Qayoom, a senior advocate, is currently in custody in connection with the 2020 murder case of advocate Babar Qadri.