Kashmir Pen News Desk
Srinagar, January 17 : The Court of the District Magistrate/Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar, has dismissed an appeal by Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) and upheld an eviction order, directing the telecom firm to vacate leased premises at the Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS).
According to a SKIMS statement, the land—spanning 8 Kanals (Survey Nos. 326-min, 328-min, and 3179-min)—was leased to BSNL Kashmir in September 1982 via Government Order No. 72-IMS of 1984 (dated June 2, 1984) for a 40-year term that expired in September 2022. No extension was granted, as the site is essential for SKIMS’s infrastructure projects. BSNL refused repeated requests to vacate, resulting in unauthorized occupation.
Prof. (Dr.) Ghulam Hassan Yatoo, Professor and Head of Hospital Administration designated as SKIMS Estates Officer under the Jammu and Kashmir Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorized Occupants) Act, 1988, issued an eviction notice and formal order on February 29, 2024, requiring BSNL to fully vacate.
BSNL appealed under Section 12 of the Act. After thorough hearings and record reviews, the appellate court dismissed the appeal on January 8, 2026, and vacated the interim stay granted on March 14, 2024, clearing the path for immediate eviction.
SKIMS hailed the ruling as a “major milestone,” freeing the strategically vital land for key developments like a long-delayed Cardiac Centre, Neurosciences facilities, Emergency Block, and other critical care projects stalled by the occupation. The institute serves as the region’s premier tertiary care center.
The statement praised Prof. (Dr.) Yatoo for his resolute leadership, his team’s diligence, the legal team’s advocacy, and the Srinagar District Administration for its prompt and fair handling of this public-interest matter. It underscores SKIMS’s commitment to protecting public resources and advancing patient care across Jammu and Kashmir.
