Abdul Gani Raina Appointed Inquiry Officer; Probe to Examine Alleged Conduct Rule Violation and Association With Private Healthcare Firm
Nadeem Nadu
SRINAGAR, OCTOBER 6 :
The Jammu and Kashmir Government has initiated Regular Departmental Action (RDA) against Dr. Azmat Gowher Khan, Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Government Medical College (GMC) Baramulla, and ordered a formal departmental inquiry into the charges against him.
The Health and Medical Education Department, through Government Order No. 741-JK(HME) of 2026 dated October 6, 2026, has appointed Shri Abdul Gani Raina, In-charge Chief Medical Officer, Baramulla, as the Inquiry Officer to conduct the proceedings.
Shri Khursheed Ahmad Damnoo, Accountant, Government Medical College Baramulla, has been appointed as the Presenting Officer to present the case on behalf of the department.
The government order has been issued in pursuance of Rule 33(4) of the Jammu and Kashmir Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1956.
As per the order, the Inquiry Officer has been directed to conduct the proceedings strictly in accordance with Rule 33 of the J&K CCA Rules, 1956, while ensuring the charged officer is provided a full opportunity of hearing, defence and cross-examination.
Inquiry To Examine Private Healthcare Association
The inquiry will specifically examine whether Dr. Azmat Gowher Khan’s directorship in M/s Clinnova Healthcare Pvt. Ltd. from May 23, 2020 to June 12, 2020 amounted to a violation of Rule 10 of the J&K Government Employees (Conduct) Rules, 1971.
The Terms of Reference require the Inquiry Officer to also examine the officer’s claim that his association with the private entity was inadvertent and arose due to a matrimonial dispute, besides determining whether there was any malafide intent involved.
The Inquiry Officer has further been directed to verify the authenticity of documents submitted by the officer in his defence.
ACB, Drug Control Reports To Be Examined
The inquiry will also take into consideration the Draft Articles of Charge, Statement of Imputations, List of Evidence and verification reports submitted by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) and the Drug Control Officer.
The Inquiry Officer will record and examine both oral and documentary evidence presented by the department as well as the charged officer.
The terms of reference also require the Inquiry Officer to distinguish whether the alleged lapse constituted deliberate misconduct or merely a technical/procedural violation without malafide intent.
Inquiry Report Within 30 Days
The government has directed the Inquiry Officer to submit a reasoned inquiry report within 30 days of his appointment.
The report will have to clearly indicate whether the charges against the officer are proved, not proved, or partly proved, along with recommendations regarding appropriate departmental action.
The Inquiry Officer has also been directed to provide the charged officer full opportunity to inspect relevant documents, cross-examine witnesses and present his defence, in accordance with the principles of natural justice.
The final departmental action, if any, will be considered under the applicable provisions of the J&K CCA Rules, 1956.(KNC)