The Supreme Court signalled closure of the litigation arising from the farmers’ protest blockade at the Punjab Haryana borders, directing the High Powered Committee formed to mediate the dispute to submit its final report in a sealed cover. The move marks a decisive step toward formally ending proceedings that began after highway blockades triggered a legal standoff between the States and protesting farmers.
The dispute traces back to early 2024, when Haryana blocked the Shambhu Khanauri stretch of the National Highway to prevent protesting farmers from Punjab from marching to Delhi over demands including minimum support price for crops. The Punjab and Haryana High Court ordered the blockade lifted, prompting Haryana to approach the Apex Court.
In September 2024, the Supreme Court constituted a High-Powered Committee headed by former High Court judge Justice Nawab Singh to facilitate dialogue between stakeholders. Over the following months, negotiations progressed, even as the Court monitored related developments, including concerns over the health of farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal during his fast at the protest site.
A Bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi observed that the situation on the ground had significantly improved, noting that “the blockade of highways… stand resolved” and vehicular movement had resumed without obstruction. The Court indicated that the proceedings are now “ripe to close,” subject to receiving a brief report containing the committee’s recommendations.
It directed the panel to submit its report in sealed cover and restrained it from making the contents public until further orders, after which the recommendations may be forwarded to the appropriate governments for consideration.
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