Justice Manisha Batra ordered the state govt to provide for family members of Dallewal to visit him hospital campus without hindrance.

Punjab Government Clears Jagjit Singh Dallewal Is Not in Police Custody latest news: The Punjab Government has told the Punjab and Haryana High Court on Monday that Jagjit Singh Dallewal, president of the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (non-political), is not in police custody or illegally detained. According to the government, Dallewal had voluntarily admitted himself to a hospital in Patiala.

Justice Manisha Batra ordered the state government to provide for the family members of Dallewal to visit him on the hospital campus without hindrance. The counsel for the state explained to the court that Dallewal chose to hospitalize himself on his own will and can be discharged at any time he chooses. The government reiterated that the visits of the family members would be facilitated with proper security protocols in place. It also quoted Supreme Court directions, stressing its duty to grant medical attention to Dallewal.

But the counsel for the petitioner put forward in court that Dallewal's relatives were being deprived of access to see him. He complained that Dallewal was not being given water and was not being allowed any visitors.

While hearing, Patiala SSP Nanak Singh furnished a status report on the case. Having heard submissions of both the parties, Justice Batra held in court that "The counsel for the state has made it clear that the petitioner is not legally or illegally in the police custody." With the condition of Dallewal's health, he was brought to Park Hospital, Patiala, by his own desire. Given the claim of the petitioner's attorney that family access was being cut off, the court instructed the state government to organize his family members to visit him within the hospital campus.

These developments came to light during the hearing of a habeas corpus petition filed by farmer leader Gurmukh Singh, who claimed that Dallewal was illegally detained. The petition alleged that the authorities were trying to stifle the farmers' movement and spread fear among peaceful protesters, thus infringing on fundamental rights such as the freedom of expression and assembly enshrined under Article 19 of the Constitution.

The court has also adjourned the next hearing to March 26, asking the state government to file a detailed status report.