Ailing detained advocate Mian Qayoom denied medical relief by IIOJK HC
Srinagar: The High Court of Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) has dismissed a fresh plea seeking urgent medical intervention for senior advocate and former High Court Bar Association president Mian Abdul Qayoom, despite mounting concerns over his deteriorating health.
According to Kashmir Media Service, Mian Qayoom, a prominent supporter of Kashmiris’ right to self-determination, has remained in custody since 2020 in a politically motivated case related to the killing of advocate Babar Qadri. He is currently lodged in District Jail Amphalla, Jammu.
The application, filed by Mian Qayoom’s wife, highlighted his worsening condition, stating that he recently complained of acute abdominal pain during a phone call. He was subsequently taken to Government Medical College, Jammu, where an ultrasound indicated multiple cysts in his right kidney.
Hearing the matter, Justice Wasim Sadiq Nargal observed that the Indian Supreme Court, through its order dated February 24, 2026, had already directed the Director of AIIMS [All India Institute of Medical Sciences] Jammu to constitute a special medical team to examine Mian Qayoom and assess the need for further treatment.
The court ruled that, since the apex court is already seized of the matter, issuing parallel directions would be inappropriate at this stage.
Senior advocate Z.A. Qureshi, representing the petitioner argued that Qayoom’s latest health complications emerged after the AIIMS special team had earlier described his condition as stable.
While acknowledging the right to life includes the right to health and timely medical care—even for inmates—the court declined to intervene.
Declaring the plea “not maintainable,” the High Court dismissed the application.
