Govt orders inquiry into SMHS Hospital assault and subsequent events

Srinagar, Jul 26: The J & K Government on Friday ordered an inquiry into the incident of assault on a doctor at SMHS Hospital earlier in the week and the subsequent series of events that unfolded at the hospital. The appointed inquiry officer has been directed to submit a detailed report on the circumstances of attack, investigate if there was dereliction of duty and recommend steps that can reduce repetition of such occurrences.

A day after Minister for Health and Medical Education promised an inquiry into the SMHS Hospital assault-on-doctor case and events that followed, J&K Government issued an Order No. 506-JK(HME) of 2025, (25 July) appointing Baseer ul Haq Choudhary, Mission Director of the National Health Mission J&K, as Enquiry Officer. As per the order, Choudhary will “conduct an objective and comprehensive examination of the facts and circumstances pertaining to the law and order situation that occurred on 23rd July 2025 at Government Medical College, Srinagar”. Taking a note of the reports of closure of Operation Theatre and the resultant disruption of services, the order has mandated investigations to ascertain “reasons for the closure of Operating Theatres (OTs), assess whether such closure was avoidable, and fix responsibility upon the individual(s) found to have acted in dereliction of duty or contravention of established protocols”

The inquiry officer has also been tasked with recommending “concrete measures aimed at enhancing internal grievance redress mechanisms and strengthening administrative coordination, and steps that could help in improving “overall functioning of the institution”. Recommendations for remedial and preventive measures to ensure no incidents of violence take place in the hospital in future have also been sought.

The inquiry report is to be submitted within 15 days, with Administrator and Spokesperson GMC Srinagar, Mohammad Ashraf Hakak, KAS, as Presenting Officer.

The inquiry order comes a day after GMC Srinagar, in a press conference denied any protests and closure of services following the assault on doctors. Hakak told media on Thursday that “no doctors protested and doctors worked through the night and the next day”. “Despite the assault, our services kept running in all associated hospitals of GMC Srinagar, including SMHS Hospital,” he said while referring that medical officers had been pressed into the job. He said GMC had “adequate staff” and enumerated the various categories of doctors that worked in the hospital. He referred to patient load and unnecessary referrals and said that security was meant to regulate the patient flow, “not for personal security of doctor”.

He said the visual of closed gate pertained to the gate of OPD, which closes after 5 pm. Emergency, he said, functioned, and no service was stopped anywhere.

As per a widely circulated video, attendant of deceased patient slapped and knocked down a doctor on duty at the hospital on July 23. This triggered protests and reported disruption of services due to a brief strike by resident doctors.

Another circular, No. JK(ME)/2025/09 has also been issued, which directs doctors and paramedical staff across hospitals, including those working under Mission Ayush and NHM, to “wear proper white aprons during their working hours” and “wear legible name plates displaying their full name and designation at all times while on duty,” aiming to improve accountability.

Heads of institutions have been assigned responsibility to ensure compliance to this order.

While some officials view the steps as proactive, GMC doctors are skeptical. “This feels like eyewash to please the public,” said one resident, who noted the enquiry avoids deeper issues like resource shortages. Another doctor added, “Aprons won’t stop violence if understaffing persists.”