NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday voiced serious concern over the deteriorating health of farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, 70, who has been on an indefinite hunger strike since November 26. The court directed the Punjab government to ensure that Dallewal receives immediate medical aid and took strong note of the state's failure to act promptly.
"Please take it very seriously. Somebody's life is at stake, Perhaps you are not (taking situation seriously), otherwise you would have given him medical aid by now..", said, a two-judge vacation bench of the apex court, led by Justice Surya Kant and Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia. It also asked the Punjab Advocate General (AG) Gurminder Singh, to ensure all the steps to provide proper medical care to Dallewal.
The top court was hearing a contempt of court petition filed against the Chief Secretary of State of Punjab for not complying with the December 20 order of the SC directing the state to convince fasting farmers' leader to go to hospital.
The court issued a notice to the Punjab government and instructed Advocate General Gurminder Singh to take all necessary steps to provide Dallewal with proper medical care. The farmer leader, also a cancer patient, has been protesting for the implementation of minimum support prices (MSP) for crops at the Khanouri border.
The top court also expressed strong reservations about protesting farmers objecting to and obstructing attempts by Punjab government to provide medical aid to farmers' leader, Dallewal who is on a fast unto death as part of the protests against the Central government for minimum support price for crops.
"We have serious doubts on the farmers who are creating obstacles to provide him aid," the Bench said.
Making it clear that it was the duty and responsibility of the Punjab government to look after the health of Dallewal, the apex court directed the Chief Secretary and Director General of Punjab to be present before it tomorrow online.
The Supreme Court had on Thursday questioned the Punjab government in connection with the insufficient efforts to tackle the deteriorating health condition of 70-year-old farmer leader Dallewal, the convener of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) who has been on a fast-unto-death at the Khanouri border.
The apex court was hearing an appeal filed by the Punjab and Haryana High Court's July 10 order directing it to open the highway and clear the barricading within seven days. Dallewal, who is also a cancer patiet, is on fast-unto-death since November 26 protesting against the policy of the Central government for minimum support price for crops.
