Srinagar Jan 10 (KNS): In a significant victory for public healthcare infrastructure, the Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) has successfully reclaimed its land after a court dismissed an appeal filed by Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) and upheld the eviction order.
The Court of the District Magistrate/Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar, vide its order dated 08 January 2026, rejected BSNL’s appeal and vacated the interim stay, thereby paving the way for immediate eviction from SKIMS land.
The land, measuring 08 kanals under Survey Nos. 326-min, 328-min and 3179-min, was leased to BSNL in September 1982 for a period of 40 years, which expired in September 2022. Since no extension or renewal was granted due to the urgent requirement of the land for SKIMS infrastructure expansion, BSNL’s continued occupation was declared unauthorized.
Following this, the Estates Officer, SKIMS — Prof. (Dr.) Ghulam Hassan Yatoo, Professor and Head of the Department of Hospital Administration — issued an eviction notice and later an eviction order on 29 February 2024 under the Jammu and Kashmir Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorized Occupants) Act, 1988.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
BSNL challenged the eviction order under Section 12 of the Act. However, after detailed hearings and examination of records from both sides, the appellate court dismissed the appeal, also vacating the interim stay granted earlier on 14 March 2024.
With this legal hurdle cleared, SKIMS can now proceed with long-pending and vital healthcare projects on the reclaimed land. These include the Cardiac Centre, Neuro-Sciences facilities, Emergency Block, and other critical care infrastructure that had been delayed due to the land dispute.
SKIMS has expressed gratitude to Prof. (Dr.) Ghulam Hassan Yatoo for his firm leadership as Estates Officer, his dedicated team, the legal counsel for effective advocacy, and the District Administration, Srinagar, for handling the matter promptly and judiciously.
The decision reaffirms SKIMS’s commitment to protecting public assets and strengthening healthcare services for the people of Jammu and Kashmir.(KNS)