The Supreme Court on Friday directed Punjab authorities to ensure the stable health of farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who is on a hunger strike in Khanauri border.
A bench of Justices Suryakant and Ujwal Bhuyan asked the Punjab Chief Secretary and the chairman of the medical board constituted to monitor Dallewal’s health to submit a fresh medical report. It set another hearing for January 2, but said the parties could go to court if necessary.
The bench also sought an affidavit signed by the state’s chief secretary and DGP taking responsibility for Dallewal’s health condition.
“It is the entire responsibility of the State of Punjab to ensure the stable health condition of Mr. Dallewal, for which the authorities will call if he requires hospitalization. Dallewal may be shifted to a make-shift hospital said to be set up at a distance of 700 meters from the spot, otherwise,” the court said in its order.
On Thursday, the bench pulled up Punjab for not doing enough to provide medical aid to Dallewal, who began an indefinite fast three weeks ago, and asked it to submit the agriculture leader’s medical report on Friday. Presenting the reports on Friday, state advocate general Gurminder Singh told the bench that several parameters in Dallewal’s blood reports were fine, but for high uric acid. Dallewal’s ECG was also normal. Regarding the cancer diagnosis, the AG said Dallewal’s PSA value was slightly high but not dangerous.
The general secretary also said that a temporary hospital has been established at Khanauri crossing.
When the court asked Dallewal if he could be shifted to this temporary hospital, he said it could be done in support of the protesting farmers.
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