SC pulls up Punjab govt for not holding medical test of fasting farm leader
This story was originally published at 19:21 IST on 19 December 2024
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NEW DELHI – The Supreme Court on Thursday pulled up the Punjab government for not conducting medical tests on Bhartiya Kisan Union President Ekta Sidhupur Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who has been on a fast-unto-death since Nov. 26 seeking agricultural reforms.
"An over 70-year-old person on hunger strike for the past 21 days and suffering from various ailments, (his) health is alright, how can it be?", the court asked after the state government lawyer said doctors have certified
Dallewal's health was fine.
"Have you conducted his blood tests, ECG (electrocardiogram) test and required investigation? Who is this doctor who says he is alright without tests?", the bench of Justice Surya Kant and Justice Ujjal Bhuyan asked.
The court said conducting Dallewal's blood tests, monitoring the condition of his cancer, and doing CT-scan was the responsibility of the state government. "Nothing has been done! What kind of certification are your officers giving?"
The Punjab government counsel said there could be casualties in case of a physical confrontation with the protesting farmers. However, the court said the farmers and their leaders had not entered into a physical confrontation. "They are sitting peacefully. These words are concocted by your officers! Tell your officers/state machinery to be alive to their Constitutional responsibilities," the court said.
The counsel for the Punjab government said that they will make efforts to submit test reports of Dallewal by Friday. "Your (Punjab government) officers can convince him (Dallewal) to go to the hospital for one week, take the required treatment and then he can resume. Someone else can continue the agitation in the meantime," said the court, placing the matter for hearing on Friday.
The Punjab government's counsel said Dallewal wanted to have a conversation with the apex court. The court said it had no difficulty in interacting with him, but the first priority was to provide immediate medical aid.
Meanwhile, media reports said the health of Dallwal turned critical after he fainted on Thursday.
The top court was hearing a petition by the Haryana government against the Punjab and Haryana High Court's order in July directing the state government to open the Punjab-Haryana Shambhu border within a week. Earlier this year, several farmers from Punjab began a march towards Delhi pressing various demands, including a legal guarantee on the minimum support price for all crops.
The Supreme Court had in September formed a committee to look into the issues raised by agitating farmers and cautioned them to stay away from political parties and promises that cannot be implemented. The committee will look into the modalities of resolving the issues raised by the agitating farmers, the court had said. End
Reported by Surya Tripathi
Edited by Saji George Titus
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