NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Wednesday camed down heavily upon the Punjab government's claim over "improvements" in health parameters of farmers leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, on a fast for nearly 50 days.
The court asked the Punjab government to furnish a copy of his health reports, to be examined for an opinion from the medical board of AIIMS.
SC Seeks AIIMS Opinion on Jagjit Singh Dallewal’s Health Amid 50-Day Hunger Strike
Dallewal, who is the convener of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) (non-political), has been on indefinite hunger strike since November 26, 2024.
He refused medical aid offered by the Punjab government, and his health deteriorated recently. Farmers, under the banners of SKM and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, have been protesting at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points between Punjab and Haryana since February 13, 2024 over various demands, including legal guarantee for the minimum support price of their produce.
Taking up a contempt petition filed by Labh Singh, a bench of Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh expressed surprise over how a person who had been on a fast for nearly 50 days had his health parameters improving.
Also Read: Why create impression court is trying to end Dallewal's fast, SC asks Punjab govt
“How can it happen? You are there, and on one hand, you are saying that your doctors are there. We like to know how the parameters are improving," the bench asked senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for the Punjab government.
The court pointed out he has been fasting for 49 days, and asked how his health parameters are improving.
Sibal clarified that the parameters are stable and not improving.
“Last time you gave a chart to us, your averment was that they were improving," the bench told him.
Supreme Court Questions Punjab’s Claim of Stable Health Parameters for Fasting Farmer Leader
A medical board was constituted by the Punjab government for the comprehensive medical examination of Dallewal.
“So, according to you, the platelets, which were 2,22,000 on December 24, 2024, have now improved to 2,54,000,” the bench sought to know from Sibal.
Also Read: Dallewal ready to take medical help if Centre agrees to talk, Punjab tells SC
The bench asked the Punjab government to furnish a complete set of health reports of Dallewal.
Taking the matter seriously, the bench asked the Punjab government chief secretary to submit Dallewal’s test reports during the course of the day with the apex court registrar.
The court directed its registrar to communicate the reports to the AIIMS director for an opinion on Dallewal’s test reports from the medical board.
It also referred to the comparative chart of investigation based on blood samples of Dallewal taken on three dates in December 2024 and January 2025.
“We direct the chief secretary to hand over a complete set of these reports to enable this court to take an opinion on the medical/health condition of Dallewal from the medical board that may be asked to be constituted by the director of AIIMS, Delhi. The report shall be submitted to the registrar judicial during the day, who shall coordinate with the director of AIIMS and obtain the opinion of experts based on these reports,” the bench said in its order.
Also Read: SC tells Punjab govt to ensure medical aid to protesting farmers leader
Sibal claimed some progress has been made in connection with the shifting of Dallewal to a makeshift hospital, which has now been set up 10 meters from the protest site. He also submitted that representatives of the central government are also meeting the protesting farmers.
The posted the matter for further consideration on January 22.
