HC issues notice on habeas corpus plea for farmer leader Dallewal’s release
In a late-evening hearing, the Punjab and Haryana High Court issued a notice of motion to the State of Punjab and the Director-General of Police on a habeas corpus petition seeking the release of Jagjit Singh Dallewal, leader of the joint forum Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (Non-Political). Among other things, petitioner-farmer leader Gurmukh Singh contended that Dallewal was allegedly in illegal custody by the respondents. The case will now come up for further hearing on Monday.
“The detention appears to be an attempt to suppress the farmers’ movement and instil fear among peaceful protesters, violating the fundamental rights to freedom of speech and expression, assembly, and association under Article 19 of the Constitution”, the petitioner contended.
In his petition placed before Justice Manisha Batra’s Bench, the petitioner contended that “300 to 400 others members of farmer organization were also missing. Going into details, he added Dallewal -- a prominent figure in the farmers’ protests--had been actively advocating for a “legal guarantee of Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops”. His “unlawful detention” violated fundamental rights under Articles 21 and 22 of the Constitution, as no “formal arrest procedures or charges” were followed.
The petitioner further sought the court’s intervention to ensure the safety and security of Dallewal and other missing farmer leaders. “The petitioner requests that the respondents be directed to produce the detainee in court and prays for any other relief deemed fit by the Hon’ble Court,” the plea stated.
Represented by advocates Gurmohan Preet Singh, Angrej Singh and Kanwarjit Singh, the petitioner added Dallewal went on an indefinite hunger strike at the Khanauri border between Punjab and Haryana. His hunger strike entered 113th day on March 19. He, along with other farmer leaders, participated in the seventh round of talks with a Central delegation led by Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan in Chandigarh. The meeting concluded without a definitive resolution, and the next meeting was scheduled for May 4.
While returning to the protest sites at the Shambhu and Khanauri borders, the detainee’s convoy was intercepted by Punjab Police near the Jagatpura area in Mohali. Dallewal, along with farmer leaders Sarwan Singh Pandher and Manjit Singh Rai, was detained without prior notice or explanation, leading to clashes between farmers and the police.
