The Supreme Court (Supreme Court of India) has on Friday called for a compliance report from the Punjab government regarding the orders issued to admit farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal (Jagjit Singh Dallewal) who is on death fast. The orders were issued by a vocational bench headed by Justice Surya Kant while hearing a petition seeking contempt of court action against the Punjab Chief Secretary for non-compliance with the Supreme Court order.
Justice Surya Kant and Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia are also included in the bench. “Dallewal should be given medical attention and it is to the effect that you are not complying with it,” the bench said. Expressing concern for Dallewal’s life and safety, the bench said, “We are very eager to see how you comply with our orders to admit him to the hospital. We are not saying much but the next hearing of the matter will be on Saturday.”
Meanwhile, the bench ordered the Punjab government to file an affidavit detailing the compliance of the first orders given by the Supreme Court. It is to be noted that last week, a bench headed by Justice Kant ordered the Punjab government to ensure safety of Dallewal’s health and directed him to be hospitalized.
The Supreme Court in its order had said, “It is the responsibility of the Punjab State to ensure the stable health condition of Mr. Jagjit Singh Dallewal, for which if he needs to be admitted to the hospital, the authorities should ensure that they do so. Therefore, the state government should decide whether Mr. Dallewal can be admitted to a temporary hospital (which is said to have been set up 700 meters away from the fast-breaking site), or shifted to another real hospital. .”
It is to be noted that since November 26, Dallewal has been on fast to death for his long-pending demands on the Dhabi Gujran/Khanuri border of Punjab and Haryana. This 70-year-old leader is also a cancer patient.
Adjourning the matter till January 2, 2025, the Supreme Court sought a fresh medical report from the Chief Secretary and Chairperson of the Medical Board on the stability of Dallewal’s health, as well as to prevent any irreversible damage to his health. He also asked to give information about the necessary steps taken during this time. – IANS