SC Directs Punjab to Monitor Dallewal's Health, Provide Medical Care

New Delhi- The Supreme Court on Saturday held the Punjab government responsible for the well-being of farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who is currently on a hunger strike. The court ordered the state government to ensure Dallewal's health condition remains stable and that he receives proper medical care, if needed.

Since November 26, Dallewal, a 70-year-old cancer patient, has been fasting at Khanauri, the Punjab-Haryana border. He is protesting alongside other farmers demanding a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops, loan waivers, and agricultural reforms.

The Supreme Court's observations came during a special sitting held on Saturday. A Vacation Bench, headed by Justice Surya Kant, expressed concern over Dallewal's health and safety. The Bench emphasized that the Punjab government must comply with its earlier orders, which directed the authorities to ensure Dallewal's stable health condition.

The court suggested that if Dallewal requires hospitalization, the government should decide whether to move him to a makeshift hospital near the protest site or to another well-equipped facility. The Bench also offered to direct the Union government to provide logistical aid if needed.

Punjab's Advocate General, Gurminder Singh, informed the court that other protesting farmers were obstructing medical aid to Dallewal. The Bench, however, stated that medical assistance must be provided and expressed dissatisfaction with the Punjab government's response, suggesting that they were not following the court's orders.

The Supreme Court has given the Punjab Chief Secretary and Director General of Police (DGP) two days to comply with its orders. The matter is scheduled for further hearing on December 31. The court warned that if its orders are not followed, it will consider framing charges of contempt of court against the responsible officials.

The court's decision follows a series of hearings regarding the ongoing farmers' protests in Punjab. The Supreme Court had previously stated that protesting farmers could directly present their grievances to the court after being informed that farmer leaders had not attended a meeting with the court-appointed panel. The court emphasized that its doors are always open for farmers to present their demands directly or through authorized representatives.