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Synopsis

The Supreme Court of India today has issued notice on a contempt petition filed before it against the Punjab government for not complying with the court's orders to get farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal hospitalized.

"Please take it very seriously..somebody's life is at stake..perhaps you are not (taking situation seriously), otherwise you would have given him medical aid by now..", Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia told Punjab Advocate General Gurminder Singh appearing before the court.

A vacation bench of Justice Surya Kant and Justice Dhulia took up the matter today. Court has further directed the Chief Secretary and Director General of Punjab to be present before it tomorrow online.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta was also present before Court today. As Justice Dhulia suggested that certain logistics could be discussed, the SG responded saying, "Our interference might have some complication..".

Adding to this, Justice Kant said, "Normally the stage governments make a request to the central government, then the official mechanism can be followed...".

Court went on to add that for diffusing of the situation whatever can be done from its platform will be done. We will ask for help from central government, Justice Kant added.

On Punjab AG's reference to jostling at protest site when Dallewal is shifted, the bench said, "We have serious doubts on those farmers, those who are not conscious and concerned about his life..".

The contempt petition will now be taken up tomorrow.

Last week, owing to Dallewal's deteriorating health conditions, the Supreme Court of India had directed the Punjab government to get his hospitalized. "The authorities will ensure to get him hospitalized. They are to take a call if he can be shifted to a temporary hospital set up 700mts from the site of the farmers protest or otherwise.", a Justice Surya Kant led bench had ordered.

A fresh medical report about the health stability and the necessary steps taken in the meanwhile was also directed to be filed by Chief Secretary, Department of Health, Punjab and Chairperson of medical board constituted to monitor health condition of Dallewal.

 Supreme Court had directed the Punjab government to ensure that medical aid was provided to Dallewal, who has decided to fast unto death. "He needs to be healthy to protest..government would not like to invite blame that something happened to him.. even farmers should be concerned about his life..", Justice Surya Kant had told the Punjab AG.

On the court being informed that the farmers did not want to engage with high powered committee appointed by it, the top court had said, "Court's doors are always open for any suggestions by the farmers".

Earlier, on December 13, top court had issued an order mandating engagement of government authorities with farmers and protection of Dallewal’s well-being. The order underscored the farmers’ constitutional right to protest but called for peaceful demonstrations, in line with “Gandhian principles.” 

Dallewal’s hunger strike, which began on November 26, is part of a larger movement demanding the legalisation of MSP and broader agricultural reforms. Protesting farmers, under the banners of Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, have been demonstrating at the Punjab-Haryana border since February.

Their blockade of major highways, including the Khanauri-Shambhu stretch, has caused significant disruptions to public movement and economic activities in the region

Recently, supreme court had asked Dallewal to ensure that the ongoing protest does not obstruct highways or cause inconvenience to the public at large. 

Notably, Dallewal had been allegedly illegally detained from the protest site at the Khanauri border, adjoining Delhi. He had planned to agitate and undertake a fast until his demand for a legal guarantee of Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops was met.

However, he was admitted to a hospital in Ludhiana, after which he approached the Supreme Court, alleging that his hospital admission was forced and amounted to detention. 

Supreme Court had recently directed the Punjab government to ensure that medical aid was provided to Dallewal, who has decided to fast unto death. "He needs to be healthy to protest..government would not like to invite blame that something happened to him.. even farmers should be concerned about his life..", Justice Surya Kant had told the Punjab AG.

On the court being informed that the farmers did not want to engage with high powered committee appointed by it, the top court had said, "Court's doors are always open for any suggestions by the farmers".

Earlier, on December 13, top court had issued an order mandating engagement of government authorities with farmers and protection of Dallewal’s well-being. The order underscored the farmers’ constitutional right to protest but called for peaceful demonstrations, in line with “Gandhian principles.” 

Dallewal’s hunger strike, which began on November 26, is part of a larger movement demanding the legalisation of MSP and broader agricultural reforms. Protesting farmers, under the banners of Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, have been demonstrating at the Punjab-Haryana border since February.

Their blockade of major highways, including the Khanauri-Shambhu stretch, has caused significant disruptions to public movement and economic activities in the region

Recently, supreme court had asked Dallewal to ensure that the ongoing protest does not obstruct highways or cause inconvenience to the public at large. 

Notably, Dallewal had been allegedly illegally detained from the protest site at the Khanauri border, adjoining Delhi. He had planned to agitate and undertake a fast until his demand for a legal guarantee of Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops was met.

However, he was admitted to a hospital in Ludhiana, after which he approached the Supreme Court, alleging that his hospital admission was forced and amounted to detention. 

Case Title: Labh Singh vs. KAP Sinha