Farm leader Dallewal ready to take medical aid if Centre agrees to hold talks: Punjab to Supreme Court

The Supreme Court on Tuesday granted two more days to the Punjab Government to comply with its directions on shifting farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal -- who is on fast-unto-death since November 26 – to a hospital.

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“Taking into consideration the totality of circumstances and keeping the interest of justice in view, we are inclined to accept the request to afford some more time for compliance with the directions issued by this court,” a Vacation Bench of Justice Surya Kant and Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia said, posting a contempt petition against the Punjab Chief Secretary and Director General of Police for further hearing on January 2, 2025.

The order came after Punjab Advocate General Gurminder Singh submitted that negotiators had visited the protest site and efforts were made for implementing the court’s order by mobilising about 7,000 personnel. Due to Punjab bandh called by farmers' organisations on Monday, there were traffic blockades.

"As per the negotiators, there is a proposal given by the farmers to the Central Government that if they get an invite for a talk, then Dallewal is ready to take medical aid as desired," Singh said, seeking three more days for compliance.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said he had no instructions on the submissions made by the Punjab Advocate General.

Maintaining that he would not like to comment on the negotiations, “Justice Kant said, “If something happens which is acceptable to all sides, we are equally happy. As of now, we are only concerned with the compliance of our orders.”

Punjab Chief Secretary KAP Sinha and Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav – who were present during the virtual hearing – were asked to remain present on the next date of hearing on Thursday as well.

On December 28, the top court had warned Sinha and Yadav that it would frame charges of contempt of court against them if its order on shifting Dallewal to a hospital was not complied with. “It’s a contempt case and the next step is known. Why shouldn’t there be charges against the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police? Why should charges not be framed? This is the logical flow of a contempt matter,” it had told the two senior officers.

Dallewal has been on a fast-unto-death at the Khanauri border point between Punjab and Haryana since November 26 to press for the acceptance of farmers' demands.

Acting on a contempt petition filed by one Labh Singh of Mohali, the top court had on December 27 issued notice to the Punjab Government for its ‘failure’ to implement the court’s order to shift Dallewal to a hospital.

On December 28, the two top officers filed separate affidavits explaining their position. However, the Bench wasn’t satisfied.

"We are not satisfied with the efforts of the state of Punjab regarding compliance of orders dated December 20. Having regard to assurance by Advocate General, we are inclined to grant more time to take appropriate steps to comply with directions. If the state of Punjab requires any assistance, we direct the Central Government to give all requisite support to ensure compliance with our directions,” it had said.