Inquiry Into Youth’s Death at Paras Hospital Srinagar Yet to Be Made Public Months Later
Srinagar, Aug 21, KNT: Months after the death of a young man at a private hospital in Srinagar, the inquiry ordered by the Health Department into the circumstances surrounding the case has yet to be made public, leaving the family and wider community without answers.
The youth, identified as Wasim Ahmed Pathan, died after undergoing surgery at Paras Hospital on May 15, 2025, in what relatives described as “mysterious circumstances,” prompting authorities to initiate a formal investigation.
The case gained attention at the time, leading the Health Department to bar several doctors from practising at the hospital pending the outcome of the inquiry.
The continued absence of findings has raised concerns about transparency and accountability within the healthcare system, particularly in high-profile cases involving private medical institutions.
Family members said they have repeatedly sought information regarding the inquiry but have received no official communication from the authorities.
“We lost our son, and all we ask for is truth and accountability. Instead, there is a disturbing silence,” a family member said.
Officials, including the Chief Medical Officer Srinagar, did not respond to repeated requests for clarification on the status of the probe, according to sources familiar with the matter.
The lack of official updates has added to public unease, with residents questioning why the findings of the inquiry have not been disclosed despite the passage of several months.
“If a high-profile case like this is brushed aside, what hope is left for ordinary patients?” a relative of the deceased told the news agency Kashmir News Trust.
Local residents and observers said the delay risks undermining public confidence in the healthcare system, particularly when disciplinary action had initially been taken against medical staff.
Meanwhile, Paras Hospital has continued its operations, with no public statement issued regarding the inquiry outcome, further fuelling speculation and concern among the public.
Health experts say timely disclosure of inquiry findings is critical in maintaining institutional credibility and ensuring accountability in cases involving alleged medical negligence.
The case also highlights broader concerns around regulatory oversight and patient safety in Jammu and Kashmir’s healthcare sector, where both public and private institutions operate under increasing scrutiny.
As the silence continues, the family of the deceased remains in search of clarity over the events that led to the death, while calls for transparency in the investigation grow louder. [KNT]
