Public Outcry as Govt Appoints Controversial Figure to Bandipora Hospital

Convener News Desk

Bandipora, Dec 29: In a surprising and contentious decision, the Jammu and Kashmir government has appointed Dr. Masarat Iqbal, who has faced multiple allegations of corruption and administrative misconduct during his previous tenures in Bandipora, as the Medical Superintendent of District Hospital Bandipora.

On Sunday, the government transferred Dr. Masarat Iqbal Wani (Medical Officer, Block Lar) to District Hospital Bandipora as Medical Superintendent, vide Government Order No. 915-JK(HME) of 2024, dated December 29, 2024.

Dr. Masarat’s first tenure as In-Charge Block Medical Officer (BMO) Bandipora in 2018 was marred by allegations of embezzlement, misuse of resources, and illegal appointments.

According to official documents (a copy of which is available with Kashmir Convener), he was accused of withdrawing Rs 30,000 from the Hospital Development Fund (HDF) for unauthorized salaries and diverting Rs 50,168 from the HDF to a private service station without approval from the local MLA, who was the Chairman of the Rogi Kalyan Samiti (RKS).

He was also accused of consuming fuel worth Rs 1.5 lakh by using a hospital ambulance for his daily commute to his residence in Goshbug Pattan from Bandipora.

Notably, the Directorate of Health Services Kashmir (DHSK) attached him to the Directorate’s office following an inquiry but did not lodge any formal case. (The year of this incident has not been specified.) Then-local MLA Bandipora, Usman Majid, had directed the recovery of Rs 1.85 lakh from the accused for alleged violations.

In his second tenure in 2021 as BMO Bandipora, Dr. Masarat once again found himself in the spotlight for the wrong reasons. On November 25, 2021, the BMO office was gutted in a mysterious fire that destroyed the service books of over 60 employees. Locals suspected the fire was a deliberate attempt to conceal evidence of illegal appointments, although these allegations were never independently verified.

Sources revealed that during the same tenure, the BMO office had a strained relationship with the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) office. Both offices exchanged allegations and counter-allegations regarding the procurement of medicines and oxygen concentrators, with each accusing the other of corruption. “This internal discord badly impacted the smooth functioning of healthcare services in Bandipora,” civil society members told Kashmir Convener.

Dr. Masarat’s repeated controversies have cemented his reputation as a contentious figure within the health department, especially in Bandipora, where both of his previous tenures were characterized by allegations of mismanagement and misconduct.

Civil society members expressed concerns over his return to Bandipora in a senior administrative role. “After a long time, Bandipora District Hospital was back on track, but now we are again concerned. We hope the past mistakes are not repeated, and the government should also be cautious about the same,” said Mohammad Iqbal, a resident of Bandipora.

Critics argue that appointing a figure with such a controversial history undermines public trust in the healthcare system. However, some suggest that his return offers an opportunity for redemption and improved healthcare delivery in the district.

“Bandipora has always had bad luck. Twice he has been reverted for the wrong reasons. All defaulters have been reserved for Bandipora. He has been tested twice in Bandipora but failed both times, yet he has been sent back with even more responsibilities,” said Gowhar Ahmad, another resident.

Locals appealed to the district administration and public representatives to maintain extra vigilance to ensure past mistakes are not repeated.

Attempts by Kashmir Convener to reach out to the Secretary of Health & Medical Education Syed Abid Rasheed Shah, Director Health Kashmir Dr. Jehangir Bakshi, and the officer in question, Dr. Masarat, proved futile. As soon as the officers provide their responses, Kashmir Convener will update their versions online.