Avinash Azad
Nearly thirty years ago, the Jammu and Kashmir government gifted ASCOMS—a private charitable hospital in Sidhra—over 200 kanals of prime land with a vision: to bring world-class healthcare to the people of Jammu. The intention was noble, the land invaluable, and the need urgent. Yet today, that very institution stands accused of violating the core principle of medical ethics—to save lives.
The tragic and untimely death of Varinder Sharma, an international judo referee and hostel warden at the Department of Youth Services and Sports, has once again brought to light the shocking levels of alleged medical negligence at ASCOMS. The Sharma family’s account of their harrowing night at the hospital is not just heartbreaking—it is damning.
On the night of May 11, 2025, Sharma was rushed to ASCOMS with severe chest complications. To the family’s horror, there were no senior doctors present in the emergency department—not even one. The hospital, which boasts graduate and postgraduate medical education programs, was reportedly functioning under the supervision of interns and inexperienced PG students.
Preliminary tests were completed by 12:30 AM and revealed critical cardiac indicators. However, no cardiologist attended to Sharma until 10:00 AM the following morning—a delay that proved fatal. Despite repeated requests and even an offer to shift the patient via a private ambulance, the hospital administration allegedly delayed action without explanation.
By the time any real care was initiated, Sharma had suffered a second cardiac arrest. He was declared dead at 10:40 AM on May 12—after nearly 12 hours of silence, delay, and what the family describes as abandonment.
ASCOMS is more than just a hospital; it is a degree-granting institution meant to train future doctors. But if the emergency ward remains unmanned during critical hours, what kind of training are MBBS and PG students actually receiving? A senior doctor, speaking on condition of anonymity, told The Hidden News, “This hospital has become a business hub with medical licenses. It defeats the very purpose of the state’s charitable support and is jeopardizing the future of both patients and medical students.”
How can a private medical college function without round-the-clock emergency care?
Why are life-saving departments like cardiology left unmanned at night?
What accountability exists for hospitals operating on land worth thousands of crores, enjoying tax exemptions, yet failing the very people they were built to serve?
This isn’t the first time ASCOMS has come under scrutiny. During the COVID-19 pandemic, multiple reports alleged that patients died due to oxygen shortages at the hospital. Despite a government-ordered inquiry, no punitive action followed—only silence.
Now, the Sharma family has submitted a formal complaint demanding an independent, time-bound probe, suspension of hospital operations until compliance is ensured, and legal action against hospital management for criminal negligence.
“It’s not just our son we lost—we lost faith in the very system we trusted. Even a government hospital would have responded faster,” said a grieving family member. Their pain echoes that of countless families who have silently suffered due to ASCOMS’ alleged neglect.
Despite significant investment in healthcare infrastructure across Jammu & Kashmir, the government’s failure to regulate private and semi-government institutions like ASCOMS is now costing lives. A hospital that once received public land, government goodwill, and charitable status is today under the scanner for allegedly turning its back on that very public.
The Sharma family, along with many others, now demands:
A high-level investigation under the supervision of the Governor and Chief Minister
Immediate accountability of hospital trustees and administrators
A policy overhaul mandating 24×7 presence of senior emergency medical staff in all hospitals
Revocation of land and tax benefits for institutions failing to meet basic care standards
If a hospital can receive prime land, charge private fees, run medical degree programs, and still allow patients to die unattended, it ceases to be a hospital. It becomes a business running unchecked. ASCOMS must be held accountable—not just in memory of Varinder Sharma, but for every silent victim whose voice was never heard. If you or your family has faced similar experiences at ASCOMS or any other healthcare facility in Jammu & Kashmir, write to us at [email protected].
The ASCOMS administration’s response is still awaited. A detailed questionnaire was sent to hospital officials at [email protected] on May 22, 2025. As of now, no reply has been received. This report will be updated if and when a response is provided.
