On 20th December, Friday, the Supreme Court asked the Punjab Advocate General to get an affidavit from the state Chief Secretary and DGP to shift farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who has been on fast unto death since 26th November 26, to a makeshift hospital set up near the protest site. Dallewal has been on a fast at the Khanauri border for the acceptance of farmers’ demands.
The bench led by Justice Surya Kant stated, “We want Chief Secretary and DGP both to file an affidavit today with an undertaking that you will shift him (Dallewal) to the makeshift hospital and provide all requisite medical aid continuously,”
Singh told about Dallewal's health report to the Bench which had pulled up the Punjab Government for not conducting medical tests on him. He said, “The ECG was normal… we have taken blood samples…report I have sent to the court. Largely, all parameters in blood report are within limit, except four…,”
“At the moment, it seems we are in control of the situation. His heart condition not affected at all…About 20 tests on blood sample were performed… two parameters are marginally abnormal,” he further added.
The Advocate General mentioned about the abnormal parameters and said, “Creatinine is slightly up. Uric acid is high for which medication is required. But he has refused… On cancer status, we have found that his PSA values are slightly high but not dangerous.”
The Bench asked about the CT scan and asked the AG to shift Dallewal to the off-site makeshift hospital. Replying to this Singh told the Bench, “We will try and do that, subject to a little cooperation from farmers,”
Justice Kant said, “We first want him to be provided medical aid. Why is that priority being overlooked? We want to know about his health condition and all health parameters. That can only be after he is subjected to certain tests. Nobody should take us for granted.”
“You (Punjab Government) people are saying he is alright, not the medical doctors… Doctors say he is refusing tests. You want civil/police officers to perform the duty of doctors? How is a doctor able to tell that a person who is sitting there for the last 21 days on hunger strike… of the age of 73-75 years with serious ailments (is alright)…You bring that doctor who gives guarantee that he is absolutely perfect,” it had told Punjab Advocate General.
The Bench said, “Please convince him to go to hospital for a week to take treatment and then resume his fast unto death. There are other leaders who can continue the protest.”
The Bench had also suggested that Dallewal can continue with his protest and fast unto death under medical supervision by giving the example of Irom Sharmila of Manipur.