On Thursday, the Punjab and Haryana High Court issued an order for a judicial probe into the recent demise of a 22-year-old individual amidst the ongoing farmers' agitation at the Punjab-Haryana borders. The protests, which have persisted since last month, prompted this investigation.

A division bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Gurmeet Singh Sandhawalia and Justice Lapita Banerji directed the establishment of a committee consisting of a retired High Court judge and two Additional Director Generals of Police (ADGP) to conduct an investigation into the farmer's demise.

The Punjab and Haryana governments were instructed to provide the names of ADGP-rank officers for inclusion in the committee by the evening of that day.

The panel, headed by the retired High Court judge, is mandated to furnish a report on the incident within a period of one month.

Shubhkaran Singh, a farmer from Bathinda, Punjab, lost his life last month during clashes between security personnel and protesting farmers at the Khanauri border.

Initially, the Punjab Police registered a Zero FIR (an FIR filed regardless of the location of the crime) in connection with the incident. Subsequently, they transferred the case to the Haryana Police, as the killing occurred within their jurisdiction.

On February 13, several farmer unions commenced a march towards Delhi to protest and press for their demands. Among their key demands was the enactment of legislation to ensure a minimum support price (MSP) for agricultural crops.

The farmers, currently stationed at the borders of Punjab and Haryana, have encountered strong opposition from the Haryana Police, who have resorted to using force to deter them from advancing towards the national capital.

During a hearing of a series of petitions linked to the farmers' protest, the High Court today ordered a judicial investigation into Singh's death. On February 29, the Court had issued a notice regarding an application seeking a judicial inquiry into the farmer's demise.

Recently, a new Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed, urging for the initiation of a criminal case against the Haryana Police for alleged excessive force against the farmers.

During today's hearing, the Court raised concerns regarding the participation of children and women in the protest after the Haryana government submitted photographs on this matter. The Court deemed it "shameful" that children were being involved in the protests.

Likewise, the Court also requested the Haryana government to furnish details regarding the types of bullets being utilized by the Police at the protest sites.