Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 7: A Division Bench of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court comprising Justice Arun Palli and Justice Rajnesh Oswal has taken a tough stand over the continuing gaps in cancer care infrastructure in the Union Territory, expressing dissatisfaction with the affidavit filed by the Health and Medical Education Department and seeking a comprehensive response from the authorities.
Hearing the long-pending Public Interest Litigation on the issue, the Division Bench observed that the affidavit submitted on behalf of the Secretary to Government, Health and Medical Education Department, was deficient on multiple fronts and not fully in tune with the court’s earlier directions.
The court noted that despite previous orders, the response placed on record failed to adequately address the concerns and grievances flagged in the petition. On a request made by Senior AAG Monika Kohli, appearing for the Government, the Bench granted short accommodation to file a fresh and comprehensive affidavit.
The court, however, made it clear that if the required affidavit is not filed before the next date of hearing, Secretary to the Government, Health and Medical Education Department shall join the proceedings online. The matter has been adjourned to April 29, 2026.
The case pertains to the lack of adequate cancer treatment facilities in Jammu and Kashmir. In its earlier order passed on December 4, 2025, the High Court had recalled that the public interest petition was originally filed to ensure basic health facilities for cancer patients, including the availability of oncologists, onco-surgeons, PET scan machines and experts in the relevant field.
The Bench had observed that although the matter was taken up years ago and directions had been passed for compliance, nearly a decade had gone by without tangible progress on the ground.
The court had then recorded that no qualified oncologist in the discipline of Surgical Oncology had been appointed or posted in Government Medical College Jammu. It had also taken serious note of the submission that while there were eight medical colleges in the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, not even one PET scan machine had been installed in these institutions except at the State Cancer Institute, Jammu. The Bench had observed that the status and compliance reports filed by the authorities from time to time did not show any tangible progress or promise.
Earlier, on December 8, 2025, the High Court had directed the respondents to furnish a detailed affidavit spelling out the steps taken in compliance with the court’s earlier orders, the work in progress and a clear roadmap for full implementation.
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