ACTION PUNJAB NEWS Desk: The Haryana government has taken a significant legal step by filing a Special Leave Petition (SLP) challenging the Punjab & Haryana High Court’s directive for a judicial inquiry into the death of a protesting farmer, Shubhkaran Singh, who tragically lost his life on February 21 at the Punjab-Haryana border.
Filed on March 11, the SLP is currently pending review by the Supreme Court, as it remains on the defect list awaiting clearance for listing.
In response to the High Court’s order, which dismissed the notion of entrusting the investigation to either Punjab or Haryana due to potential conflicts of interest, a three-member committee was formed. Led by retired Justice Jaishree Thakur of the Punjab & Haryana High Court, the committee includes Parmod Ban, ADGP of Punjab, and Amitabh Singh Dhillon, ADGP of Haryana.
The bench overseeing the case raised questions regarding the ammunition employed by the Haryana Police on protestors and requested detailed information on the matter. Reviewing the affidavits submitted by the states, the High Court indicated that the farmer’s death appeared to be a consequence of excessive police force. Additionally, the Court criticised the Punjab Police for the delay in filing an FIR regarding the protester’s demise, as the incident occurred on February 21 while the FIR was lodged on February 28.
During the proceedings, Additional Solicitor General Satya Pal Jain emphasised the Central Government’s willingness to engage in discussions with farmer leaders either in Chandigarh or Delhi, highlighting that certain corrective actions had already been initiated.
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The farmers’ protest primarily revolves around demands for a law guaranteeing Minimum Support Price (MSP) and other related issues. The petitioner alleges that the Haryana police and paramilitary forces engaged in heavy use of tear gas and subsequently opened fire on protestors, resulting in Shubhkarn Singh’s tragic death.
Furthermore, the plea calls for the disclosure of comprehensive data regarding the tear gas shells, pellet guns, rubber bullets, and live ammunition utilised by the police and paramilitary forces. This information, the petitioner argues, would enable the Court to assess whether the use of force was justified or indiscriminate.
Highlighting concerns over jurisdictional matters, the petition underscores the absence of objections raised by the Punjab police and administration regarding the deployment of excessive force within Punjab’s jurisdiction. As legal proceedings unfold, the case underscores broader issues surrounding the farmers’ protest and the use of force by law enforcement agencies, warranting close scrutiny and judicial review.
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(Inputs from agencies)
