Papalpreet Singh, a close aide of Khadoor Sahib MP and ‘Waris Punjab De’ chief Amritpal Singh, was produced before the Ajnala Court on Friday, following his transfer from Dibrugarh Central Jail in Assam.
The move comes amid heightened legal action under the National Security Act (NSA).
Custody & Transfer From Assam
Punjab Police took Papalpreet Singh into custody on April 9 after reaching Assam to initiate the legal formalities for his transfer. He had been detained at Dibrugarh Central Jail for nearly a year. After completing procedural steps, Singh was brought back to Punjab and presented in court amid tight security arrangements.
Singh was arrested in Hoshiarpur on April 10, 2023, under the NSA, a day after he was tracked down following a high-profile manhunt.
Background
His arrest came in the wake of the Ajnala police station standoff on February 23, 2023, where Amritpal Singh’s supporters stormed the police facility in Amritsar, demanding the release of another close associate, Lovepreet Toofan. The incident triggered statewide tension and led to intensified crackdowns by law enforcement.
Family Speaks Out
Papalpreet’s family members have strongly defended him, rejecting the government’s allegations. His mother, Mandhir Kaur, claimed he was working to steer youth away from drugs and closer to Sikh teachings.
“It is clearly in front of the world. He tried to keep people away from drugs and encouraged them to learn their Gurus’ preaching,” she said, appealing for his release on bail.
His maternal uncle, Amarjeet Singh Wangchadi, also questioned the NSA charges and the decision to imprison him over 4,000 kilometers away.
“I know he did wrong, but sending him 4,000 kms away, that too under NSA, was not fair. How many were charged under the NSA during the 1984 riots or the Vadodara riots?” he asked.
He also revealed that Papalpreet is a journalist and had once worked as a personal assistant to Bhagwant Mann during elections.
Legal Representation
Papalpreet’s advocate, Harpal Singh Khara, claimed that the authorities have no clear allegations against his client.
“Even police and state officials are not aware of the accusations,” he said, adding that the video footage cited shows two individuals in different cities, and there’s no proof of theft or damage to the police station.
He alleged that the authorities were intentionally prolonging the legal process through repeated remands.
“It’s only drama. They’re scared that the ‘party’ might flourish, and they’re trying to suppress it,” he asserted.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the case continues to draw attention for its political undertones, the application of NSA, and the larger crackdown on the Waris Punjab De group. All eyes remain on how the court responds in the coming days.
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