New Delhi, Dec 31 (Representative) The Supreme Court on Tuesday extended the timeline for the Punjab for not hospitalizing farmer leader Jagjit singh Dallewal.Punjab Advocate General(AG) Gurminder Singh informed the Court that intervenors and negotiators had visited the protest site. Despite mobilizing approximately 7,000 personnel, efforts were hindered by the Punjab Bandh observed by farmers’ organizations, which led to traffic blockades and disruptions. The Advocate General further stated that the farmers had proposed that Dallewal would accept medical aid if the Central Government agreed to engage in talks with them. As per the negotiators, a proposal has been given by the farmers to the Central Government that if they get an invite for a talk, then Mr Dallewal is ready to take medical aid as desired, Singh submitted while requesting additional time for compliance.Justice Surya Kant said that the Court’s primary concern was compliance with its orders, “We will not comment on what is going on, about negotiations…If something happens which is acceptable to all sides, we are equally happy. As of now, we are only concerned with the compliance of our orders.”Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta noted that he had no instructions regarding the submissions made by the Punjab AG. The bench said, “An application has been moved on behalf of the officers of the State of Punjab seeking an additional three days for achieving the desired outcome, The Court said, “Taking into consideration the totality of circumstances and keeping the interest of justice in view, we are inclined to accept the request to afford some more time for compliance with the directions issued by the Court.”
The Court asked to ensure the virtual presence of the Chief Secretary and DGP of Punjab during the next hearing, as it was during today’s session.Jagjit Singh Dallewal, a cancer patient also suffering from age-related ailments, has been on a hunger strike since November 26 at the Khanauri border, demanding that the Union Government provide a statutory guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops. On December 28, the Supreme Court expressed dissatisfaction with the compliance report submitted by Punjab’s Chief Secretary and DGP regarding Dallewal’s hospitalisation. The Court also made strong remarks about the farmers resisting Dallewal’s relocation for medical treatment.The affidavits submitted by State authorities warned of potential “collateral damage” to lives and property if Dallewal were moved from the protest site.Justice Kant expressed displeasure, stating, “The Supreme Court is not impressed to see the violent face of the so-called agitation.” Advocate General Singh urged the Union Government to intervene and diffuse the situation, but Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Haryana Government, clarified that Central intervention could worsen the situation. The contempt petition stems from the non-compliance with the Supreme Court’s December 20 order, which directed Punjab State authorities to either shift Dallewal to a makeshift hospital located 700 meters from the protest site or to any other well-equipped hospital. This followed earlier observations by the Court that Dallewal required immediate hospitalisation based on his medical reports filed on December 18. The division bench will continue to hear the case on January 2, 2024.