- By Imran Zafar
- Tue, 31 Dec 2024 12:17 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
The Supreme Court on Tuesday granted the Punjab government an extension to comply with its December 20 order to provide medical assistance to farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who has been on a hunger strike since November 26. On December 31, the court deferred the matter until January 2, allowing the state government more time to take necessary action.
The Punjab government requested additional time, citing ongoing negotiations with protesting farmers and efforts to shift Dallewal to a hospital. Despite multiple attempts by a state team, led by former additional DGP Jaskaran Singh, to convince Dallewal to seek medical help, he has refused.
The vacation bench, comprising Justices Surya Kant and Sudhanshu Dhulia, listed the matter for further hearing on January 2 after Advocate General Gurminder Singh, representing the Punjab government, sought a three-day extension for compliance with the court's previous order.
Gurminder Singh informed the court that negotiators were in talks with the protesting farmers at the protest site and were trying to move Dallewal to a makeshift hospital at the Khanauri border.
The bench stated that it was not concerned with the discussions between the government and farmers but with ensuring compliance with its earlier orders. It recorded the submissions of Singh and adjourned the hearing.
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Earlier, on December 28, the Supreme Court criticised the Punjab government for failing to shift Dallewal to a hospital, expressing concerns over the intentions of the protesting farmers in preventing medical aid for their leader. The court had set a December 31 deadline for the state to persuade Dallewal to go to a hospital and allowed the Punjab government to seek central assistance if necessary.
(With agency inputs)