Order of the Supreme Court of India in the matter of Rakesh Vaishnav & Others Vs Union of India & Others dated 12/01/2021.

The matter related to validity of three farm laws and the protest by the farmers against these laws:

(1) Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020

(2) Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020 and

(3) Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020.

The bench comprising the Chief Justice of India Sharad Arvind Bobde, Justice A. S. Bopanna and V. Ramasubramanian passed an interim order staying the three farm laws until further orders. Thus, the Minimum Support Price System in existence before the enactment of the Farm Laws would be maintained until further orders.

"In addition, the farmers’ land holdings shall be protected, i.e., no farmer shall be dispossessed or deprived of his title as a result of any action taken under the Farm Laws," the SC order said.

A Committee of four members would be constituted for the purpose of listening to the grievances of the farmers relating to the farm laws and the view of the government and make recommendations. The Apex Court expressed the hope that the order would encourage the farmers bodies to convince their members to get back to their livelihood - both in order to protect their own lives and health  and in order to protect the lives and properties of others.