Petition Filed for Issuance of Habeas Corpus Writ Over Unlawful Detention of Prominent Farmer Leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal

     Photo courtesy of NewsDrum

Petition Filed for Issuance of Habeas Corpus Writ Over Unlawful Detention of Prominent Farmer Leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal

On March 21, 2025, Farmer Leader Gurmukh Singh formally filed a Petition for the issuance of a Writ of Habeas Corpus, urgently calling on the Government of Punjab and Haryana to justify and immediately address the detention of Jagjit Singh Dallewal.

Dallewal is the president of the Bhartiya Kisan Union Ekta Sidhupur and a leading figure in the joint forum Sanyukt Kisan Morcha. He has played a pivotal role in championing farmers’ rights and mobilizing peaceful protests for agricultural reforms, and has been at the forefront of several farmers’ protests with his activism revitalizing the movement often termed “Kisan Andolan 2.0”

Dallewal is a well-known advocate for the rights of farmers and agricultural laborers, focusing on critical issues such as:

• Ensuring legal guarantees for MSP.
• Implementing debt waivers for overburdened farmers
• Securing pensions for farmers and agri-laborers.
• Delivering justice for victims of past agitations.

On November 16, 2024, Dallewal initiated an indefinite hunger strike at the Khanauri border between Punjab and Haryana. He demanded that the government legally guarantee a minimum support price (MSP) for all crops—a cornerstone issue for the nation’s agrarian community. His strike extended for 113 days until March 19, 2025, drawing national attention to the plight of millions of farmers.

On March 19, following a 7th round of talks with a central delegation in Chandigarh led by the Union Agriculture Minister—with no concrete agreement reached—Dallewal, along with other prominent farmer leaders, headed back to the protest sites in anticipation of continued dialogue, with the next meeting scheduled for May 4, 2025.

While en route to rejoin the protest, Dallewal, accompanied by leaders Sarwan Singh Pandher and Manjit Singh Rai, was intercepted by Punjab Police near Jagatpura in Mohali. The detentions are widely viewed as unjust, because of:

• Unlawful Detention: Dallewal was not informed of any charges nor has any Information been filed or recorded, directly violating constitutional guarantees of personal liberty and due process.
• Suppression of Democratic Rights: The arrests appear to be a deliberate move to suppress the farmers’ movement and deter peaceful protest, infringing upon the fundamental rights to freedom of speech, expression, assembly, and association.
• Wider Impact: In addition to these three leaders, reports indicate that between 300 and 400 farmers are missing, with 50 individuals positively identified among them, raising serious concerns about the broader attempts to silence dissent.

Records reveal that Jagjit Singh Dallewal was arbitrarily transferred to a medical facility in Patiala but his  family has been prohibited from visiting or meeting him, further compounding concerns about his rights and well-being.

Dallewal is receiving Pro Bono legal representation from Gurmohan Preet Singh, the Head of the Legal Strategy Team for UNITED SIKHS in India and a prominent advocate for human rights.

Gurmohan Singh says that “In light of a prolonged hunger strike and the undeniable impact of Dallewal’s leadership on the farmers’ movement, it is unacceptable that he is being arbitrarily detained without due process. The filing of this petition is a call to uphold constitutional rights and democratic freedoms. The authorities must immediately provide a transparent explanation for this detention and restore Dallewal’s liberty, ensuring that lawful procedures are followed.”

This petition is not only a legal action but also a stand against the suppression of a movement that speaks for millions of farmers across India. As the case proceeds, further updates will be provided regarding the legal and humanitarian measures necessary to ensure justice for Dallewal and the broader agricultural community.

In March 27 the High Court for the States of Punjab and Haryana dismissed the Petition stating that Mr. Dallewal was admitted to Park Hospital in Patiala. No clear declaration was however made as to the other fifty (50) farmer-leaders whose whereabouts remain unknown.

In light of the recent developments, UNITED SIKHS remain resolute in ensuring that the rights of the victims are protected. We will continue to guard against any attempt to suppress constitutionally guaranteed rights, as we support  the  call of our farmers in securing legal assurance for the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for all crops, justice for past agitations and the recognition of dignity of our farmers and agri-laborers..

UNITED SIKHS stands with the farmers and will continue to provide legal and other aid until justice prevails. Join our mission: https://unitedsikhs.org/support-farmers-movement/