Srinagar, Sept 3 (JKNS): The Jammu and Kashmir Government has terminated the services of Dr Mohammad Himayun, Assistant Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at SKIMS Medical College Hospital, Bemina, with effect from March 1, 2017, citing prolonged and willful unauthorized absence from duty.
The order has been issued vide Government Order No. 673-JK(HME) of 2026, dated September 3, 2026, and signed by Commissioner/Secretary to the Government, M. Raju, IAS, a copy of which lies with news agency JKNS stated that, Dr Himayun was initially appointed as Lecturer in Pediatrics at SKIMS Medical College in 2009 and was subsequently promoted as Assistant Professor in 2013.
The government order states that he was placed under suspension on April 30, 2015, on account of unauthorized absence from duties. He was later reinstated following due procedure on December 27, 2016.
However, after his reinstatement, the officer reportedly attended duties for only six days in January 2017 and three days in February 2017, before remaining absent from duty with effect from March 1, 2017.
The government said departmental proceedings were subsequently initiated against the officer. A Memorandum of Charges and Statement of Imputations were issued on November 27, 2020, while Prof Farooq Ahmad Jan, Medical Superintendent, SKIMS Soura, was appointed as the Enquiry Officer in December 2020.
After conducting the proceedings, the Enquiry Officer submitted his report on June 12, 2021, establishing what the government described as deliberate and willful unauthorized absence of Dr Himayun from duty with effect from March 1, 2017.
The order further states that the Director, SKIMS, subsequently submitted a proposal for issuance of a show-cause notice. The General Administration Department, while examining the matter, sought complete records for further consideration.
A pre-termination notice was eventually served upon Dr Himayun on September 8, 2025, providing him 15 days to explain why his services should not be terminated.
In his response, the officer cited personal health issues, family disputes, financial difficulties and mobility-related problems as reasons for his prolonged absence.
However, the government said the reply failed to rebut the findings of the departmental inquiry or establish what it termed a legally admissible justification for his continued absence.
The Finance and Legal Sections of the Health and Medical Education Department examined the matter and opined that the case warranted termination under Articles 113 and 128 of the J&K Civil Service Regulations (CSR).
The government also sought an updated status report from the Director, SKIMS, regarding the whereabouts and service status of the officer. In a communication dated February 10, 2026, the Director, SKIMS, confirmed that Dr Himayun had remained continuously absent since March 1, 2017, without reporting back for duty or obtaining permission to rejoin.
After examining the entire record, including the inquiry report, the officer’s reply to the pre-termination notice, and the views of the Finance and Legal Sections, the government concluded that he had remained continuously and willfully absent for more than nine years.
The order states that such prolonged unauthorized absence constitutes abandonment of Government service under Article 113 of the J&K CSR, which provides for a government servant being treated as out of State employment after five years of continuous absence on leave.
It further invokes Article 128 of the J&K CSR, under which removal from service may be imposed as a major penalty in cases involving gross misconduct and dereliction of duty.
“Now therefore, in view of the established factual findings of the departmental enquiry, the inadequacy of the reply furnished to the Pre-Termination Notice, the opinions of the Finance and Legal Sections, and in terms of the statutory provisions contained in Articles 113 and 128 of the J&K Civil Service Regulations (Vol-I), the services of Dr. Mohammad Himayun… are hereby terminated with effect from 01.03.2017,” the order states.
The termination has been ordered on the grounds of willful and continuous unauthorized absence from duty, which the government has held amounted to abandonment of Government service.
The order has been issued by order of the Lieutenant Governor and is dated September 3, 2026. (JKNS)
