Today, the Punjab and Haryana High Court directed both the Central and State governments to submit an affidavit following their scheduled meeting with the farmers later today.

A division bench comprising Acting Chief Justice GS Sandhawalia and Justice Lapita Banerji was presiding over two pleas: one challenging the road blockades by the protestors and the other contesting the "obstructive" measures implemented by the Haryana government to deter farmers from marching towards Delhi.

Today, ASJ Satya Pal Jain apprised the Court of a forthcoming meeting between Union ministers and representatives of the Farmers Union. Consequently, the bench instructed, "Let a concise affidavit be submitted by the respondents by Tuesday."

The farmers are currently engaged in protests advocating for a law ensuring Minimum Support Price (MSP), among other demands. In the previous hearing, the Court had urged for a mutually agreeable resolution between the parties involved. Additionally, the Central government had expressed its willingness to engage in negotiations on the matter during the court proceedings. Consequently, a meeting has been arranged for today at 5 pm.

The petitioner, Uday Pratap Singh, a lawyer based in Chandigarh, has lodged a challenge against the government's "obstructive actions," which include the sealing of borders between Haryana and Punjab, as well as the suspension of mobile internet services and bulk SMS in numerous districts of Haryana.

Singh has alleged that the Haryana government has resorted to violent tactics, employing weapons such as rubber pellets and tear gas cannons against peaceful protesters. Conversely, the Haryana government has contended that the protest is unauthorized, organized without obtaining permission from the authorities. It further stated that six districts in the State—Yamunanagar, Charkhi Dadri, Kurukshetra, Jhajjar, Panchkula, and Karnal—have already designated areas for conducting peaceful agitation, while arrangements are underway in other districts as well.

The Punjab government also conveyed that while the situation is tense, it remains under control, with all necessary arrangements in place, including medical facilities. It emphasized that it has no objection to the protest as long as it remains peaceful.

Today, the ACJ also criticised the Petitioner for seeking intervention of the United Nations on the issue. "You mentioned it, we took it up, once you have invoked the jurisdiction of this Court, how can you take it to UN," it observed.

Expressing regret, Singh submitted that he will take steps to withdraw it.

Title: Uday Pratap Singh v. UOI & Ors.