Supreme Court seeks Dallewal’s blood results as Punjab says his health is ‘stable’

Members of Samyukt Kisan Morcha meet farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who is on an indefinite fast over various demands, at Khanauri border in Sangrur on January 10, 2025.
| Photo Credit: ANI

The Supreme Court on Wednesday (January 15, 2025) directed the Punjab government to place on record a comparative chart of the blood tests of farmers’ leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who is on the 50th day of his fast-unto-death at the Khanauri border of Punjab and Haryana, even as the State submitted his health parameters were “stable”.

A Bench headed by Justice Surya Kant ordered the Chief Secretary of Punjab to compile the results of blood evaluation done on Mr. Dallewal on December 19, December 24, December 30, January 3, January 9, and January 14. The compiled results, the top court said, would enable the apex court to take an expert opinion from a medical board it proposes to ask the Director, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi, to constitute.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, for Punjab, submitted “effective steps” were underway to resolve the impasse over Mr. Dallewal’s fast, and regarding his hospitalisation.

Mr. Sibal, seconded by Punjab Advocate General Gurminder Singh, said there was “progress in the matter”. They indicated the State authorities were “hopeful of a solution”. Mr. Singh said the apex court-appointed committee led by former Punjab and Haryana High Court Justice Nawab Singh had met Mr. Dallewal to negotiate peace.

The farmers are demanding the enactment of a law that ensures a guaranteed minimum price for crops. They argue that a legal guarantee would protect their income and stabilise the agricultural market. Farmers have been camped at the Shambhu and Kanauri borders of Punjab and Haryana ever since their march to Delhi was stopped in February 2024.

Further, the court scheduled a separate petition filed by Mr. Dallewal’s friend, Guninder Kaur Gill, on January 29. Ms. Gill had blamed the government of going back on its “promises” to the farmers.

In previous hearings, the court had separately questioned the Centre’s persisting reluctance to come out with a statement that its “doors are open” to consider the “genuine grievances” of the protesting farmers.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the State of Haryana in the case, had submitted for the Centre that there were several factors weighing in for the Union government, and it did not want to aggravate the issue.