SC slams Punjab again over inaction on Dallewal's health

The Supreme Court on Saturday strongly criticised the Punjab government for failing to hospitalise farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who has been on a fast-unto-death since November 26, marking the second consecutive day the state faced the court's ire for not complying with repeated orders and medical advice to ensure his hospitalisation.

- Utkarsh Anand

NEW DELHI:

Expressing serious concern over the government's inability to enforce its December 20 order, which mandated immediate hospitalisation of Dallewal, the court warned of possible contempt proceedings against the state's chief secretary and director general of police (DGP) for non-compliance.

In a rare Saturday sitting, a bench comprising justices Surya Kant and Sudhanshu Dhulia heard a contempt petition filed against Punjab's chief secretary and DGP, accusing them of neglecting their constitutional duty. The bench, visibly upset with the state's response, stressed that no protest could justify the endangerment of human life and berated the government for appearing to tacitly support Dallewal's prolonged hunger strike.