The Supreme Court on Friday directed the State of Punjab to immediately provide adequate medical care to farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who was on a fast-unto-death for more than 20 days at the Khanauri border seeking minimum support price for crops, among other demands.
The Vacation Bench of Justice Surya Kant and Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia further sought a compliance affidavit from the Punjab Chief Secretary, as well as the State’s Director General of Police in this regard at 11 am on Saturday.
The top court of the country issued the directions on a contempt of court petition filed against the Punjab Chief Secretary for not complying with its December 20 order.
On December 20, the Apex Court had asked the Punjab government to either shift Dallewal to a nearby makeshift hospital at the Khanauri border, said to have been set up at a distance of 700 meters from the site, or any other well-equipped hospital, where his health could be monitored round-the-clock.
Appearing for the state government, Punjab Advocate General Gurminder Singh today submitted that an eight-member delegation of Cabinet Ministers, along with the Punjab DGP, had gone to meet the protesting farmers to convince Dallewal to shift to a hospital.
He submitted that the farmers strongly resisted the shifting of Dallewal to a hospital. Therefore, the State provided everything onsite.
The Vacation Bench said that although it would not issue any directions today, it was the duty of the state government to maintain law and order. If some people were creating a law and order issue, they must be dealt with an iron hand, it added.
The Apex Court further expressed its strong displeasure over the agitators, stating that it had ‘serious’ doubts about the protesting farmers, who were creating obstructions in providing medical aid to their leader.
Noting that the State did not seem to be complying with the Court orders, the Apex Court said that somebody’s life was at stake. The Punjab government should take the matter seriously provide immediate medical care to Dallewal.
It further said that in order to ensure that Dallewal was safe and sound, the Court would take him online during the hearing. His life and safety were the Court’s major concerns, it added.
Appearing for the Union of India, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta contended that the state government ought to take all measures to ensure that Dallewal was hospitalised.
The Punjab AG responded that they could not attempt ‘physical jostling’ of Dallewal, while providing him with medical aid.
The Apex Court today suggested that the Union government assist the Punjab Government in dealing with the issue adequately. SG Mehta, however, said that the Centre’s interference might deteriorate the situation.
The SG further said that few farmers could not keep Dallewal as hostage, especially when his life was in danger. All possible measures should be taken to shift the farmer leader to hospital, he added.
Singh again pressed for the Centre’s interference, if only to diffuse the situation. The SG then reiterated that shifting Dallewal to a hospital and providing him with proper medical aids hould be the first priority of the State.
The Vacation Bench said it would ensure the Central government gave full cooperation in the matter.