Amritpal Singh Moves Punjab & Haryana HC To Attend Parliament Session

Amritpal Singh

Amritpal Singh, the Member of Parliament (MP) representing Khadoor Sahib in Punjab, currently held in Assam’s Dibrugarh jail under the National Security Act (NSA), has approached the Punjab and Haryana High Court with a petition seeking authorization to attend the forthcoming Parliament session and to participate in the Republic Day celebrations on January 26.

In his petition, Singh underscores that his prolonged incarceration has effectively disenfranchised the 19 lakh voters he represents in Parliament. He asserts that his detention is politically motivated and intended to undermine his growing political influence.

The initial detention order, issued by the Deputy Magistrate of Amritsar in March 2023, has been subject to multiple extensions. In March 2024, a new detention order was issued citing allegations of unauthorized social media activity and the discovery of contraband items within his prison cell. Singh has categorically dismissed these claims as baseless and unconstitutional.

Singh’s petition contends that his detention not only violates his fundamental constitutional rights but also disenfranchises his constituency, depriving them of their democratic voice. He has requested an interim release and a prompt resolution of the ongoing legal proceedings.

On January 9, Tarsem Singh, the father of Amritpal Singh and a staunch critic of his son’s detention, condemned the imposition of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) as a calculated maneuver to obstruct the family’s political aspirations. Speaking to media, Tarsem Singh remarked, “Now when the imposition of NSA on him comes to an end, they already imposed UAPA. Now when we are planning to launch a political party, it is a conspiracy to stop us. Bhagwant Mann’s anti-Sikh mindset is being exposed. Without any proof or investigation, such things are being done to defame Amritpal.”

The Faridkot Police Superintendent confirmed that the UAPA has been invoked against Amritpal Singh, further entangling the legal and political complexities of his case. This additional charge exacerbates the contentious nature of his detention, raising critical questions about the balance between national security and the protection of democratic and constitutional rights.

Singh’s case continues to fuel a broader discourse on the application of preventive detention laws in politically sensitive contexts, amplifying concerns regarding their potential misuse in stifling dissent and curtailing representation.