Farmers’ agitation: SC seeks compliance report from Punjab govt
The Supreme Court on Friday directed the Punjab government to file a compliance report by Saturday on its December 20 order wanting that farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal - who has been on a fast-unto-death since November 26 - be shifted to a hospital.
“We are very anxious to see how you comply with our direction to have him (Dallewal) hospitalised. We are not saying much…but this matter will be heard on Saturday,” a Bench led by Justice Surya Kant told Punjab Advocate General Gurminder Singh.
The top court directed the Punjab Chief Secretary and Director General of Police to remain present during the hearing on Saturday.
Singh told the Bench that an eight-member delegation had gone there for the purpose but the farmers were protesting.
“If it is a law and order issue you have to deal with it with an iron hand…Somebody's life is at stake. You need to take it seriously. Medical aid has to be given and the impression is that you are not following it,” the Bench – which also included Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia – told the Advocate General.
The AG said he would bring the correct report before the top court.
“When we know that he is safe and sound, we will take him online during hearing and then we will proceed. First of all, we are concerned about his life and safety,” said the Bench which had earlier pulled up the Punjab government for not conducting medical tests on Dallewal.
The top court issued notice to the Punjab government on a contempt petition filed against the Punjab Chief Secretary for allegedly failing to comply with the Supreme Court’s December 20 order to shift Dallewal to a hospital.
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.
Saying that he would take instructions on the issue, Singh submitted that a team of cabinet ministers had gone and a letter was handed over by them to the Prime Minister with a request that if there was a direction by the Centre, the situation could be defused.
“To defuse or bring down the farmers’ (agitation) situation, whatever is to be done from the court will be done and whatever assistance is needed from the Central government, we will direct them to do so…There is a plea by Gurinder Singh Gill which will come up on January 2 (2025),” the Bench said, adding that these issues would be considered.
On behalf of the Haryana government, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta and Senior Additional Advocate General Lokesh Sinhal said defusing the situation is a secondary thing and the priority should be the farmer leader’s health.
Contending that a few people can’t keep the farmer leader hostage and medical aid had to be given to him, Mehta said, “Let the state take all measures to ensure he is shifted to a hospital.”
As Singh said that there cannot be any physical jostling with Dallewal who was frail, the Bench said, “We have serious doubts on the farmers who are creating obstacles in providing him medical aid. Let the state take all measures to ensure that he is given the aid.”
“We direct that a compliance affidavit be filed by the state of Punjab and the matter be listed tomorrow (Saturday)," the top court ordered.
Making it clear that it wanted Dallewal to be shifted to a makeshift hospital set up near the protest site, the Supreme Court had on December 20 left it to the Punjab government authorities to take a call on the issue.
"It’s entirely the responsibility of the state of Punjab to ensure stable health conditions of Dallewal, for which, if he requires hospitalisation, the authorities will take a call as to whether he can be shifted to a makeshift hospital which is said to have been set up at a distance of 700 metres from the (protest) site, or otherwise,” it had said.
