NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday directed the Punjab government to ensure medical aid to farmers leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who was on fast unto death, observing if some people created law and order problem, they must be dealt with an iron hand.
In a special sitting during the winter vacations, a bench of Justices Surya Kant and Sudhanshu Dhulia told the Punjab's Advocate General Gurminder Singh, "Please take it very seriously, somebody's life was at stake. Perhaps, you are not taking it seriously, otherwise, you would have given medical aid to him by now."
SC Urges Punjab Govt to Ensure Medical Aid for Fasting Farmer Leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal
The court issued notice to the Punjab government and sought a compliance report from the state government by Saturday.
The bench was hearing a contempt petition, filed against the Punjab government.
The bench scheduled the matter for consideration on Saturday and also sought personal presence of Punjab DGP and Chief Secretary before it.
Supreme Court Demands Action as Farmer Leader’s Health Deteriorates Amid 24-Day Fast
The Advocate General submitted that a team Punjab's cabinet ministers went to meet Dallewal and it was handed over a letter addressed to the Prime Minister, saying if the Centre intervened, there would be diffusing of the situation.
The law officer pointed out Dallewal said if some dialogue could get opened up, he was willing to co-operate for medical aid.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta submitted few people can't hold him hostage when his life was in danger.
"The moment he is fine, we will hear his view point," the bench said.
Mehta said the state government can make sure that he was shifted from the protesting site to the hospital.
The Advocate General apprehended about jostling which may happen if Dallewal is shifted.
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"We have serious doubts about the farmers who are not conscious and concerned about his life," the bench said.
On December 20, the bench had asked the Punjab government to ensure no harm was caused to health of farmers' leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who is on a fast-unto-death since last 24 days at the Khanauri border.
The bench said 70-year-old Dallewal could be moved to the makeshift hospital set up within 700 metres of the protest site at Khanauri border between Punjab and Haryana.
Dallewal has been on an indefinite fast at the Khanauri border since November 26 to press the Centre into accepting the agitating farmers' demands, including a legal guarantee of minimum support price (MSP) on crops.
On December 19, the Supreme Court has asked the Punjab government to convince Dallewal to undergo health examination.
The court also ticked off the Punjab government for not conducting medical tests on Dallewal, who is on an indefinite fast at Punjab-Haryana Khanauri border.
