On fast-unto-death at Khanauri border, Supreme court says farm leader Dallewal’s health responsibility of Punjab govt

“It is the entire responsibility of the State of Punjab to ensure the stable health condition of Sh. Dallewal, for which, if he requires hospitalisation, the authorities will take a call as to whether Sh. Dallewal can be shifted to the make-shift hospital which is said to have been set up at a distance of 700m from the site, or otherwise,” the court said in its order.

On Thursday, the bench had pulled up Punjab for not doing enough to provide medical assistance to Dallewal, who began an indefinite fast over three weeks ago, and asked it to produce the farm leader’s medical reports Friday. Producing the reports Friday, state Advocate General Gurminder Singh told the bench that most parameters in Dallewal’s blood reports were fine, but for high uric acid. Dallewal’s ECG was normal, too. Regarding cancer diagnosis, the AG said Dallewal’s PSA values were slightly high but not dangerous.

The AG also said a makeshift hospital had been set up at the Khanauri border.

When the court sought to know if Dallewal could be shifted to this makeshift hospital, he submitted it could be done with the support of the protesting farmers.