High Court Halts Controversial Hospital Shift

The Himachal Pradesh High Court has put a temporary halt to the plans of relocating the Gynaecology OPD from Kamala Nehru Hospital to Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC) Shimla after facing backlash from doctors and women's groups.

The division bench, led by Chief Justice Gurmeet Singh Sandhawalia and Justice Bipin Chandra Negi, passed the interim order in response to a Public Interest Litigation filed by Falma Chauhan of the All India Democratic Women's Association. The court has sought a comprehensive explanation from the state government concerning the shift.

The government's decision has been met with significant protests, with allegations that it undermines the historic hospital. Critics argue that the move would cause undue hardship for patients. The health department has been tasked with providing a detailed rationale and potential impacts of the proposed transition.

(With inputs from agencies.)