SC directs Punjab govt to submit Dallewal's health reports for examination by AIIMS panel; next hearing on January 22

PTC News Desk: The Supreme Court has summoned health report of farm leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal who has been sitting on fast unto death for 51 days. The court has asked Punjab government to submit detailed comparative health reports of Dallewal which will be examined by a panel from the medical board of AIIMS.

Kapil Sibbal who was representing Punjab government informed the top court that Dallewal's health has been stable and slight improvement in the vitals have been recorded. Sibbal also highlighted that a medical team has been deployed  just 10 meters away and that progress is underway in terms of medical assistance to Dallewal. An affidavit on Dallewal's latest vitals was filed before the Court.

A bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh in bafflement questioned advocate Sibbal's remarks and said how could the Government say a person's vitals were improving when he had been fasting for more than 46 days.

"Where are the latest parameters? Last time some officers filed an affidavit [stating that his condition is deteriorating], now you are saying that his parameters are improving? How can it happen? On one hand, you are saying your doctors are there 24x7, and your medical team is there, how the parameters are improving? The person to whom we are saying that he appears to have been placed there as some people are putting kind of peer pressure on him, he will not dispute [his vitals]. 49 days [a person is on hunger strike] and his parameters are improving," said Justice Kant. 

The court has further directed the Chief Secretary of Punjab to handover the reports to the Registrar (Judicial) of the Supreme Court who shall then obtain the medical opinion from the Director (AIIMS).

The next hearing of the matter has been schedule for January 22.