The Punjab administration was overruled by the Supreme Court on Friday, which ruled that farmers’ leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who has been fasting till his death since November 26, must get medical assistance.

A vacation bench consisting of Justices Surya Kant and Sudhanshu Dhulia voiced worries over Dallewal’s health and safety, stating that it seems he was not receiving medical assistance.
The bench advised taking all necessary steps to guarantee that the farmers’ leader received medical assistance.

“You must handle any crisis involving law and order with iron fists. The life of someone is on the line. You must be serious about it. “Medical assistance must be provided, and it appears that you are not adhering to it,” it said.

The Punjab government received a notification from the highest court about a contempt petition against its chief secretary for failing to comply with the December 20 top court decision to provide Dallewal with medical assistance and persuade him to visit the hospital.

When it heard the case again on Saturday, it instructed the Director General of Police and the Chief Secretary to provide a compliance report.

In order to pressure the Center to grant the farmers’ demands, which include a legal guarantee of the minimum support price (MSP) for crops, Dallewal, the convener of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political), has been fasting till death at the Khanouri border.

The judges voiced serious concerns during today’s special hearing concerning protesting farmers opposing and impeding the Punjab government’s efforts to provide Dallewal medical assistance.

The court said, “We have serious doubts about the farmers who are creating obstacles to provide him aid” .

The Punjab government has been urged by the top court to provide Dallewal adequate medical assistance throughout his death-defying fast.