A Supreme Court bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh observed that a third round of negotiations is now scheduled for March 19. Consequently, the bench rescheduled the hearing of the case, including petitions seeking contempt action against Punjab government officials over medical assistance provided to farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, to a date following these discussions.
Punjab Advocate General Gurminder Singh informed the court that two ministers from Punjab participated actively in the earlier rounds of talks. The bench also acknowledged the valuable contributions of a high-powered committee appointed by the apex court, designed to facilitate dialogue and amicably resolve the grievances raised by protesting farmers. The court formally took the committee’s interim report into record and decided on an honorarium for its chairman, retired Justice Nawab Singh, and other committee members.
Earlier in September 2024, the Supreme Court constituted this committee specifically to address the demands and concerns of farmers who have been agitating against certain central government policies.
Additionally, on January 22, the court had deferred consideration of a contempt plea against Punjab government officials after acknowledging that farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who was then on an indefinite hunger strike, was receiving necessary medical treatment without compromising his protest. The top court had earlier sought a detailed health report from the Punjab government regarding Dallewal, who commenced his indefinite hunger strike on November 26, 2024, and whose condition subsequently deteriorated after he refused medical aid initially offered by the state.
The protesting farmers, united under banners such as the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM, non-political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, have been stationed at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points connecting Punjab and Haryana since February 13, 2024, following their halted march towards Delhi.
Key Points:
- Supreme Court postpones hearing on farmers' protest.
- Third round of talks between Centre and farmers set for March 19.
- Petitions against Punjab officials over farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal deferred.
- Apex court committee recognized for facilitating dialogue.
- Farmers continue protest at Punjab-Haryana borders demanding legal guarantee for MSP.
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