Punjab Govt Tells High Court Farmer Leader Dallewal Is Not in Custody, Free to Leave Hospital
The Punjab Government on Monday informed the Punjab and Haryana High Court that farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal is not in police custody and is “free.” The clarification came during the hearing of a habeas corpus petition filed by farmer leader Gurmukh Singh, alleging that Dallewal was being held in illegal detention.
Representing the government, the State counsel stated that Dallewal, who heads the “Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) KMM,” had been admitted to Park Hospital in Patiala voluntarily, due to health concerns. “He can leave. He chose to be hospitalised,” the counsel said, adding that while his family could visit him, any meetings would be subject to standard security protocols. Citing directions from the Supreme Court, the counsel also noted that the State had a duty to ensure Dallewal received proper medical care.
However, Dallewal’s legal team argued that his family was being denied access to him. “He hasn’t even been given water, and no one is being allowed to see him,” the petitioner’s counsel submitted.
After hearing both sides, Justice Manisha Batra recorded in open court that the State had maintained Dallewal was not in police custody, and that his hospital admission was based on his own request. Taking note of the petitioner’s claim that the family was being prevented from visiting, the court directed the authorities to allow family members to meet Dallewal within the hospital premises, without hindrance.
The petition, filed by Gurmukh Singh and represented by advocates Gurmohan Preet Singh, Angrej Singh, and Kanwarjit Singh, alleged that Dallewal’s detention was part of an effort to suppress the ongoing farmers’ movement. It argued that the situation amounted to a violation of constitutional rights, particularly the right to free speech, peaceful assembly, and association as guaranteed under Article 19 of the Constitution.
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