SC says Dallewal took medical aid, keeps contempt plea in abeyance

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday kept in abeyance a plea for contempt action against Punjab government officials after noting that farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, on a hunger strike, was undergoing medical treatment without breaking his fast.

A bench of Justices Surya Kant, Dipankar Datta and Ujjal Bhuyan noted that representatives from Central government met the protesting farmers over their various demands, including legal guarantee for minimum support price for crops, and another meeting was scheduled on February 14 in Chandigarh.

Calling it a “positive development”, the bench noted Dallewal, whose health condition had deteriorated due to fast for about 50 days, was now getting better, and would meet the delegation in Chandigarh.

“Various positive developments have taken place. The Government of India sent a high-level delegation which had met with Dallewal and other farmer leaders. It appears both sides have agreed to have a dialogue and resolve the issue in Chandigarh on February 14, 2025,” it said.

It noted Dallewal accepted medical aid and his condition had improved and moved into a makeshift hospital, set up 50 metre from the protest site at Khanauri border.

“Dallewal has also agreed to be part of the delegation to resume talks with the Central government and other authorities in Chandigarh on February 14, 2025. We would like to impress upon Dallewal that he can go to Chandigarh a couple of days in advance of the meeting and have a proper medical check-up at PGI, Chandigarh and take necessary medical aid for his effective participation. We are also informed that some other farmers’ leaders have also broken their fast and have agreed to resume the talks…” said the bench’s order.

The top court said all the stakeholders would be able to make decisions and determine the future course of action, which is in the national interest including the farmers community.

“In light of the present development, the contempt proceedings are kept in abeyance and the presence of officials dispensed. We were also informed that the high-powered committee also met Dallewal and on joint request, post this matter for hearing at the end of February,” it held.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal and Punjab advocate general Gurminder Singh informed the bench that Dallewal and other protesting farmers on indefinite fast have accepted medical intervention after a high-level deputation from the Centre met them on January 18.