New Delhi: The Supreme Court expressed displeasure today over the Punjab government’s statement regarding the health condition of farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who has been on a hunger strike for 49 days.
The court questioned how his health parameters could be “improving” under such circumstances.
The 70-year-old farmer leader is fasting to demand a legal guarantee for the minimum support price (MSP) for crops, among other issues raised by farmers’ organisations.
Representing the Punjab government, Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal informed the court that a medical facility is situated just 10 metres from the protest site and stated that Dallewal’s condition was “improving.”
This remark prompted sharp questioning from the bench of Justices Surya Kant and N. Kotiswar Singh. Justice Kant challenged the claim, asking, “How can someone’s vitals improve after a 49-day hunger strike? Where are the latest medical reports? Earlier, officials submitted that his condition was deteriorating, and now you’re claiming improvement?”
Responding to the court’s concerns, Sibal clarified that he had misspoken and that the farmer leader’s condition was “stable,” citing a report from a medical board monitoring Dallewal.
The court was hearing a contempt petition against Punjab officials for failing to shift Dallewal to a hospital.
After the Punjab government’s submissions, the court directed the state’s Chief Secretary to submit the farmer leader’s medical records to the Registrar for an independent medical opinion from the AIIMS Director. Earlier, state officials explained that efforts to move Mr. Dallewal were resisted by farmers, warning that the use of force might lead to “collateral damage.”
The Supreme Court also asked the Centre to clarify its position within two weeks on a petition seeking a legal guarantee for MSP.
