‘Nothing has been done’: Supreme Court raps Punjab for not conducting medical tests of fasting farm leader Dallewal
The Supreme Court directed the Punjab government to submit medical test reports of farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal.
Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) President Harjinder Singh Dhami meets farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who is on an indefinite fast at Khanauri border at Khanauri border since November 26, in Sangrur district, Punjab, Wednesday. (PTI Photo) The Supreme Court Thursday pulled up the Punjab government for not acting on its directions to provide immediate medical assistance to farmers’ leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal who is on a fast-unto-death protest at Khanauri on the state’s border with Haryana.
A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan told Punjab Advocate General Gurminder Singh that its officers should try and convince him to go to a hospital for at least a week and someone else can continue the agitation during that time.
On Wednesday, the bench expressed concern over Dallewal’s health and said he should be given urgent medical aid. Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who is a cancer patient, has been on a fast-unto-death seeking agricultural reforms for 24 days now.
Punjab Advocate General Singh said on Thursday that senior officers had talked to Dallewal and though there was resistance initially, medical teams have been assisting now. He submitted that a nearby place called Haveli has been transformed into a hospital and all facilities have been kept ready for any emergency.
However, the bench wondered how medical facilities could be shifted like that and asked if authorities were able to move him there.
When Singh said that Dallewal wanted an audience with the court, Justice Surya Kant said the court was open to having a discussion with him, but the first priority was to get him immediate medical aid. “We first want him to be provided medical aid. Why that priority is being overlooked? We want to know about his health condition and all health parameters. That can only be after he is subjected to certain tests. Nobody should take us for granted,” Justice Kant cautioned.
Punjab Advocate General Singh said thousands of protesters have gathered at the site resisting his transfer and that they have wielded trolleys together so that no vehicle can pass.
Justice Kant then asked the state to show his blood test reports. To the Punjab Advocate General Singh’s comment that he is alright so far, Justice Kant shot back: “You people are saying he is alright, not the medical doctors. Doctors say he is refusing tests. You want civil/police officers to perform the duty of doctors? How is a doctor able to tell that a person who has been sitting there for the last 21 days on hunger strike, of the age of 73-75 yrs with serious ailments…you bring (to us) that doctor who gives a guarantee that he is absolutely perfect.”
Justice Bhuyan said he could continue with his hunger strike, but subject to medical supervision. Justice Kant added that such supervision can be done even without consuming any food or liquids. The judge added that it’s the state’s responsibility to conduct his blood tests, condition of cancer, CT scan etc. “Nothing has been done. What kind of certification your officers are giving?” an upset Justice Kant asked.
Punjab Advocate General Singh submitted that there may be casualties in case of a physical confrontation but the court said that farmers and their leaders have never entered into a physical confrontation. The bench said: “They are sitting peacefully. These words are concocted by your officers.”
Justice Kant asked Singh to tell Punjab Government officers “to be alive to their constitutional responsibilities.”
Fixing it for hearing again on Friday, the bench directed that Dallewal’s medical test reports be submitted to it before 1 pm.
Share
