North News
New Delhi, December 28
The Supreme Court has issued a stern warning to the Punjab government for failing to comply with its directives to provide medical assistance to farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who has been on a hunger strike for over a month. In an unprecedented hearing, the court directed the state government to persuade Dallewal to shift to a hospital by December 31 or face contempt.
According to media reports, the Supreme Court cautioned Punjab Chief Secretary K.A.P. Sinha and Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav that contempt charges would be framed against them if its order to move Dallewal to a hospital was not implemented. The Punjab government expressed its difficulties, citing resistance from protesting farmers encircling Dallewal, preventing any attempt to transport him for medical care.