The Supreme Court noted that farmer leader Dallewal, who is on a hunger strike, is getting medical care without ending his fast. On January 22, the court paused a contempt case against Punjab officials. Dallewal has also said he wants to meet the appointed panel. The case is still under court observation.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court noted that farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal is receiving medical assistance and has expressed a desire to attend the upcoming meeting with representatives from the Centre on February 14 in Chandigarh.
A bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and N. Kotiswar Singh adjourned the hearing regarding a plea urging the Centre to implement a proposal made to protesting farmers in 2021, which includes a legal guarantee for the Minimum Support Price (MSP) on crops, following the repeal of the farm laws.
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Justice Surya Kant informed petitioner Guninder Kaur Gill that Dallewal had given a media interview on January 28, stating he was receiving medical care and hoped to participate in the scheduled meeting, health permitting.
The Justice noted,
“He has also reposed faith in the apex court-appointed committee and is hoping that some solution may come out of the scheduled meeting,”
The court choose to delay the matter until after the meeting in Chandigarh, aiming to prevent any confusion, and rescheduled the hearing for after February 14.
Gill pointed out that the government had agreed to implement the proposal in 2021 but has since backtracked. The bench urged the petitioner to be patient, stating it would issue an order as necessary.
The bench remarked,
“Let them negotiate first,”
On January 22, the Supreme Court suspended a plea for contempt against Punjab government officials, noting that Dallewal was receiving medical treatment while on a hunger strike.
Earlier, on January 2, the court had inquired why the Centre could not simply state that it was willing to consider the farmers’ genuine grievances, including the demand for a legal MSP guarantee.
The bench had urged the Centre to respond to the plea without a formal notice, asking,
“Why can’t your client make a statement that it will consider the genuine demands and we are open to discuss the grievances of farmers, our doors are open?”
The court also advised Gill to avoid a challenging approach, emphasizing that a high-powered committee led by a retired high court judge had been established to address these issues.
Dallewal has been on an indefinite hunger strike at the Khanauri border between Punjab and Haryana since November 26, advocating for the acceptance of various demands from farmers. The farmers, under the banners of Samyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, have been stationed at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points since February 13, 2024, after security forces stayed their march to Delhi.
Case Title: Labh Singh vs. KAP Sinha