Supreme Court Defers Hearing on Jagjit Dallewal’s Hospital Shift to Jan 2
On December 29, a team of Punjab government officials tried to convince the ailing Jagjit Dallewal to seek medical assistance, but he declined.
Image Source: Scroll.in
The Supreme Court on Tuesday postponed the hearing on the Punjab government’s compliance with its order to shift farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal to a hospital, rescheduling it for January 2. The hearing was initially set to review Punjab’s actions regarding Dallewal’s treatment as his indefinite hunger strike entered its 35th day on Monday. A vacation bench of Justices Surya Kant and Sudhanshu Dhulia deferred the matter after Punjab’s Advocate General Gurminder Singh sought three additional days to comply with the court’s December 20 directive. Gurminder Singh informed the bench that a negotiation team is engaging with the protesting farmers at the site, and efforts are underway to transfer Dallewal to a nearby makeshift hospital on Punjab’s side of the Khanauri border.
The bench refrained from commenting on the negotiations but emphasized the need for compliance with its previous orders. It acknowledged Singh’s submissions and adjourned the hearing, as reported by PTI. On December 29, Punjab government officials attempted to persuade the ailing Dallewal, now in his seventies, to accept medical assistance, but he refused, fearing forced removal from the protest site.
During an earlier hearing, the Supreme Court had authorized Punjab to seek logistical support from the Centre if required to convince Dallewal to move to a hospital. In a brief video message on Monday, Dallewal urged the Centre to address the farmers’ demands and thanked Punjabis for their support in making the Punjab bandh, organized by two farmers’ groups, a success.
Kaka Singh Kotra, a leader of the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (non-political), stated that Dallewal is prepared to sacrifice his life for the farmers’ cause. The Supreme Court had earlier set a December 31 deadline for Punjab to persuade Dallewal to seek medical care.
“We are not satisfied with the efforts so far made by the Government of Punjab towards compliance with our orders, particularly the order dated December 20,” the bench remarked, while noting assurances from the state’s advocate general, chief secretary, and director general of police. The court granted the state more time to take appropriate measures.
Farmer leaders under the SKM and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha banners have been protesting at the Shambhu and Khanauri borders since February 13, following disruptions to their planned march to Delhi. Their demands include a legal guarantee for MSP, debt relief, pensions for farmers and workers, no increase in electricity tariffs, and justice for the Lakhimpur Kheri incident.
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