Crackdown on Punjab farmers: Petition in SC seeks contempt action against officials

A contempt petition has been filed in the Supreme Court against the Chief Secretary, Home Secretary, and the Director General of Police of Punjab for alleged wilful disobedience of the court’s July 24, 2024 order to maintain the status quo at the Shambhu border to prevent any "untoward incident."

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"Contrary to the express orders of this Honorable Court, on 19.03.2025, Punjab Police carried out a large-scale police action at the Shambhu and Khanauri borders. The operation, led by senior police officials, involved the use of heavy force, illegal arrest, dismantling of protest sites, and destruction of vehicles of the farmers directly violating the status quo order of this Honorable Court. The said incidents of forceful removal of agitating farmers from the protest site by the police officials were broadcast on air, across all media and channels, and published in various newspapers," the contempt petitioner Sehajpreet Singh submitted.

On March 19, many farmer leaders, including Jagjit Singh Dallewal and Sarwan Singh Pandher, were detained by the Punjab Police. The police also cleared the protest sites – the Shambhu and Khanauri borders – dismantled temporary structures, and removed trolleys and vehicles stationed there. The Punjab Police forcibly evicted protesting farmers from Shambhu Border and Khanauri Border, the petitioner alleged. The actions were taken without seeking permission from the Supreme Court, which had passed the status quo order, the contempt petitioner contended.