FIR against Congress MLA Peerzada Syed's family for locking J&K hospital
Synopsis
A sitting Congress MLA's wife and son have been booked in an FIR for allegedly locking a government primary health centre in Anantnag — a facility housed in the MLA's own family building since 2008. The case lays bare the fragile, rent-dependent infrastructure underpinning J&K's rural healthcare system, and puts a veteran four-term legislator in the political spotlight.
Key Takeaways
FIR registered at Achabal police station on 6 May against the wife and son of Congress MLA Peerzada Mohammad Syed .
The accused allegedly locked a primary health centre in the Damhal Khosipora area of Anantnag district .
The building reportedly belongs to the MLA's family and has housed the health facility since 2008 .
The MLA had earlier written to the Anantnag Chief Medical Officer seeking relocation, citing the building's dilapidated condition.
The MLA's wife alleged on social media that officials misbehaved with her during the police visit.
Peerzada Mohammad Syed is a four-term legislator and former president of the J&K Pradesh Congress Committee .
Police in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag district have registered an FIR against the wife and son of sitting Congress MLA Peerzada Mohammad Syed for allegedly locking a government-run primary health centre, officials confirmed on Wednesday, 6 May. The case was registered at Achabal police station in South Kashmir following the alleged incident at the Damhal Khosipora area of the district.
What Happened
According to officials, the health facility in question is housed in a building that reportedly belongs to the MLA's family and was provided for establishing a primary health centre in 2008. The wife and son of Peerzada Mohammad Syed allegedly locked the building, disrupting the functioning of the health facility. Police subsequently arrived at the site and reportedly broke open the lock to restore access.
The Family's Claim
The family has offered a counter-narrative. According to officials, Peerzada Mohammad Syed had earlier this year written to the Anantnag Chief Medical Officer seeking relocation of the health centre, citing the building's reportedly dilapidated condition. In a video circulated on social media, the MLA's wife alleged that officials misbehaved with her when they arrived with police to forcibly break the lock. The claims of misbehaviour have not been independently verified.
Background on the MLA
Peerzada Mohammad Syed represents the Anantnag constituency in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly as a member of the Indian National Congress (INC). A veteran legislator, he previously served as an MLA in the 1987, 2002, and 2008 elections from the Kokernag Assembly seat. He has also served as president of the J&K Pradesh Congress Committee.
Wider Context
The incident highlights a recurring tension in Jammu and Kashmir's healthcare infrastructure. Primary health centres across the Union Territory operate in a large number of private buildings, with owners paid rent that critics argue has not kept pace with market rates. In several instances, landlords have sought vacation of premises citing inadequate rent or building damage from prolonged use without adequate repair. This case, however, is notable given the political profile of the building's owner. The FIR marks a rare instance of a sitting legislator's immediate family being named in a criminal case linked to public health access.
What Happens Next
The case is currently under investigation by Achabal police station. The health facility has reportedly been reopened following police intervention. It remains to be seen whether the MLA's relocation request to the Chief Medical Officer will be taken up formally or whether the matter proceeds to court.
Point of View
And is now accused of locking out patients, is an accountability failure on multiple levels: the government for not securing dedicated health infrastructure in over 15 years, and the MLA for allegedly allowing a family dispute over property to compromise public health. The relocation request, if genuine, should have been resolved through administrative channels long before it came to a lock and an FIR.
NationPress
9 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was an FIR filed against Congress MLA Peerzada Mohammad Syed's family?
The FIR was registered at Achabal police station against the wife and son of Anantnag MLA Peerzada Mohammad Syed for allegedly locking a government primary health centre in the Damhal Khosipora area of Anantnag district. The building housing the facility reportedly belongs to the MLA's family and has been used for the health centre since 2008.
What is the MLA's family's side of the story?
According to officials, Peerzada Mohammad Syed had written to the Anantnag Chief Medical Officer earlier this year seeking relocation of the health centre, citing the building's dilapidated condition. His wife also alleged on social media that officials misbehaved with her when police arrived to break the lock.
Who is Peerzada Mohammad Syed?
Peerzada Mohammad Syed is the sitting MLA from the Anantnag constituency in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, representing the Indian National Congress. He is a veteran legislator who previously won from the Kokernag Assembly seat in 1987, 2002, and 2008, and has served as president of the J&K Pradesh Congress Committee.
What happens to the health centre now?
The health facility has reportedly been reopened following police intervention and the breaking of the lock. The case remains under investigation at Achabal police station, and the MLA's pending relocation request to the Chief Medical Officer has not yet been formally resolved.
Why do such disputes over government health centres arise in J&K?
Primary health centres across Jammu and Kashmir operate in a large number of privately owned buildings, with owners paid rent that has reportedly not kept pace with market rates or maintenance costs. This has led to recurring disputes where landlords seek vacation of premises, sometimes disrupting public health services.
