Supreme Court gives Punjab Govt three days more to admit Jagjit Singh Dallewal to hospital
PTC Web Desk: The Supreme Court has granted the Punjab Government a three-day extension to admit farmer leader jagjit Singh Dallewal, who has been on a hunger strike for 36 days at the Khanauri border, to a hospital. A Bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and Sudhanshu Dhulia heard the matter on Tuesday, where the Punjab Government sought more time due to logistical challenges.
During the proceedings, Punjab's Advocate General (AG) Gurinder Singh submitted that Monday's statewide bandh had disrupted traffic, hampering efforts to take Dallewal to a medical facility. Additionally, a mediator had filed an application stating that Dallewal would be willing to negotiate if the farmers' union intervened. Considering these submissions, the Bench granted the Punjab Government an extension.
The court has now scheduled the next hearing for January 2. Earlier, during the December 28 hearing, the Supreme Court had directed the Punjab Government to take action by December 31.
During Tuesday's hearing, Justice Surya Kant remarked, "If you need more time, we are willing to consider it." Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Central Government, stated that he had no specific instructions on the matter.
The Bench took note of the Punjab Government's oral submissions regarding the challenges in complying with the court's earlier orders and approved the plea for additional time.
Despite the Supreme Court's directives, efforts by the Punjab authorities to persuade Dallewal and the farmers to agree to hospitalisation have been unsuccessful. On December 29 and 30, senior police officials, accompanied by retired ADGP Jaskaran Singh, attempted to negotiate with Dallewal and other farmer leaders. However, these efforts did not yield results.
On Sunday night, the police had reportedly prepared to act, but their plans were thwarted when farmers became aware of the move, preventing any forced action.
- PTC NEWS
