SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has revoked the suspension of Dr Zaheer Abbas, Medical Officer (MS Surgery) at Emergency Hospital Vijaypur, and reinstated him in service, while deciding to continue departmental proceedings against him under the applicable service rules.
According to Government Order No. 5-JK(HME) of 2026, issued by the Health and Medical Education Department, the suspension has been revoked with immediate effect following a review of the case by the Suspension Review Committee.
Dr Zaheer Abbas was placed under suspension with immediate effect on November 2, 2024, through Government Order No. 732-JK(HME) of 2024, after his detention for more than 48 hours in connection with FIR No. 0354, registered on October 31, 2024, at Police Station Kathua. During his suspension, he was attached to Community Health Centre (CHC) Bani.
The department subsequently directed the Director of Health Services Jammu, through a communication dated April 17, 2025, to conduct a fact-finding inquiry to ascertain whether the incident leading to the criminal case had any connection with the officer’s official duties.
The inquiry found that the incident had occurred while Dr Abbas was on sanctioned leave and outside the course of his official duties. It described the incident as personal in nature and found no evidence of professional misconduct, dereliction of duty, misuse of official position or violation of conduct rules in the discharge of his official responsibilities.
The inquiry also noted that the officer had no adverse service record relevant to the matter and did not recommend departmental action in connection with the incident.
Meanwhile, Dr Abbas had approached the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT), Jammu, through O.A. No. 1309/2025, challenging, among other issues, the continuation of his suspension and raising concerns regarding the review of suspension, disciplinary proceedings and payment of subsistence allowance.
The Tribunal, through its judgment dated August 25, 2025, disposed of the application with directions for review of the suspension and completion of disciplinary proceedings, if initiated, in accordance with applicable rules and the principles laid down by the Supreme Court in Prem Nath Bali vs Registrar, High Court of Delhi and Another.
The matter was subsequently placed before the Suspension Review Committee, which met on September 10, 2026, under the chairmanship of the Commissioner/Secretary to the Government, Health and Medical Education Department.
After examining the inquiry report, circumstances leading to the suspension, its duration and the CAT judgment, the committee observed that the departmental inquiry had not established any misconduct having a nexus with the officer’s official duties. It also concluded that continuation of his suspension was not necessary in the circumstances of the case.
The committee recommended revocation of the suspension and reinstatement of the officer, while directing that departmental proceedings continue under Rule 33 of the Jammu and Kashmir Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1956, to determine accountability and any disciplinary measures, if warranted.
The government order states that the period of suspension will be settled separately by the competent authority after the conclusion of departmental proceedings, in accordance with the applicable service rules.
