The Punjab and Haryana High Court today admonished the Haryana government for its failure to submit the medical report of a youth protestor allegedly detained by the Police during the farmers' agitation on February 21, demanding MSP.

Justice Harkesh Manuja orally observed, "Where is the opinion of the medical superintendent? I have specifically asked for the medical report... are they self-inflicted injuries? In a habeas corpus petition, if the direction is not followed, then it will be contempt of court."

The father of the youth has filed a habeas corpus petition, alleging that the Haryana Police picked up his son from within the boundaries of Punjab for participating in the "peaceful farmers' agitation."

Haryana government filed an affidavit denying these allegations. It claims that the youth was found severely injured in the fields adjoining the barricades installed at the borders of the two states. The government stated that considering his health condition, Preetpal was immediately sent to be admitted to the Civil Hospital.

The counsel representing the Haryana government informed the court that the previous order requesting the medical report of the protestor was not uploaded on the High Court's website, thus making it impossible to comply. Additionally, pursuant to the same order, the Court had appointed a warrant officer to accompany the petitioner to PGI Rohtak or any other location pointed out by the petitioner to locate the alleged detainee.

The Haryana government stated that Preetpal was never detained by the local police and informed the Court that he has been shifted to PGI, Chandigarh. Consequently, the Court remarked that the only remaining issue for its consideration is the medical report. However, upon the petitioner's request to expand the scope of the petition to determine the legality of the Haryana Police's actions and the grant of compensation, the Court directed the petitioner's counsel to provide cases or legal precedents to support their argument.

The matter is now listed on February 28.

Counsel for the petitioner Advocate Ish Puneet Singh

Counsel for the State of Haryana Ad AG Deepak Sabharwal

Title: Devender Singh v. State of Haryana & others