Supreme Court defers hearing on plea seeking MSP guarantee

Taking note of farm leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal accepting medical aid and agreeing to talk with the Centre’s representatives on February 14 in Chandigarh, the Supreme Court on Wednesday deferred the hearing on a petition demanding legal guarantee of MSP on crops.

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A Bench of Justice Surya Kant and Justice N Kotiswar Singh adjourned the hearing on a petition filed by Guninder Kaur Gill to after February 14, saying it did not want to hear the matter till the meeting took place in Chandigarh to avoid any confusion.

Kaur has sought a direction to the Centre for the implementation of a legal guarantee on MSP for crops, as promised to the protesting farmers in 2021, after the farm laws were repealed.

Justice Kant told Gill that Dallewal gave an interview in the media on January 28 where he said he was taking medical help and expressed his desire to participate in the scheduled meeting to be held on February 14, if his health permitted.

“He has also reposed faith in the apex court-appointed committee and is hoping that some solution may come out of the scheduled meeting,” the Bench said.

In 2021, the government agreed to implement the proposal, but has backtracked now, Gill said. The Bench asked her to have patience as it will pass order when required. “Let them negotiate first,” it said.

On January 22, the Bench had kept in abeyance a contempt petition against the Punjab Chief Secretary and the DGP after being informed that Dallewal, on an indefinite fast since November 26, 2024, was undergoing medical treatment without breaking his fast.