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Informist, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024

 

NEW DELHI – The Supreme Court on Tuesday gave the Punjab government more time to shift Bhartiya Kisan Union Ekta Sidhupur President Jagjit Singh Dallewal to a hospital. Dallewal has been on a fast-unto-death since Nov. 26, seeking agricultural reforms. The apex court will hear the case next on Jan. 2.

 

"Taking into consideration the totality of circumstances and in the interest of justice, we are inclined to accept the request to afford some more time for compliance of the directions issued by this court (regarding shifting of Dallewal to a hospital)," said a bench of Justice Surya Kant and Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia. Dallewal has been on an indefinite hunger strike and has refused treatment amid attempts to move him to a hospital.

 

The apex court was hearing a contempt petition against Punjab's chief secretary for non-compliance with its order to provide medical aid to farmer leader Dallewall. On Friday, the apex court had asked the Punjab government to take all measures to ensure Dallewal was shifted to a hospital and file a compliance report regarding the same. "Somebody's life at stake. You need to take it seriously. Medical aid has to be given, and the impression is that you are not following it," the top court had observed on Friday.

 

Appearing for the Punjab government on Tuesday, Advocate General Gurminder Singh had sought additional time and said some intervenors had gone to Dallewal and other protesters for a talk. Singh said that on Monday, a Punjab bandh was declared, which resulted in blockages all over the state. Second, there was a proposal that Dallewal would be ready to get medical help if the central government was ready to talk with protestors, Singh added.

 

On Monday, a nine-hour bandh called by farmers protesting over several demands, including legal guarantee for minimum support price for all crops, had brought Punjab to a halt. Roads were blocked and trains were stopped at over 250 locations in Punjab as part of the bandh, which was in force from 0700 IST to 1600 IST.

 

Earlier this year, several farmers from Punjab began a march towards Delhi, pressing for various demands. In September, the apex court formed a committee to look into the issues raised by agitating farmers and cautioned them to stay away from political parties and promises that couldn't be implemented. The committee will look into the modalities of resolving the issues raised by the agitating farmers, the court had said. The committee is set to hold further talks with agitating farmers on Jan. 3.  End

 

IST, or Indian Standard Time, is five-and-a-half hours ahead of GMT

 

Reported by Surya Tripathi

Edited by Avishek Dutta

 

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