Will the High Court Hear the Petition of Jailed Lok Sabha Member Amritpal Singh Tomorrow?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Amritpal Singh is seeking temporary release to attend Parliament.
- The Punjab and Haryana High Court will hear his case on Friday.
- He has been detained under the National Security Act (NSA) since April 2023.
- Singh argues for his right to partake in legislative processes.
- The court's decision could impact the interpretation of NSA related to elected officials.
Chandigarh, Nov 20 (NationPress) Following the recent petition filed by jailed Waris Punjab De activist and Lok Sabha member Amritpal Singh, seeking temporary release to attend the Winter Session of Parliament from December 1 to 19, a Division Bench of the Punjab and Haryana High Court has scheduled the case for a hearing on Friday.
Amritpal Singh, who won the Lok Sabha election from the Khadoor Sahib constituency in Punjab, has been incarcerated in Dibrugarh Central Jail in Assam since April 2023, after being detained under the National Security Act (NSA).
During the High Court proceedings, Singh's lawyer informed the Bench, presided over by Chief Justice Sheel Nagu, that a previous petition was dismissed with the option to submit a proper representation to the Lok Sabha, which has now been completed.
The Bench inquired about the status of the challenge against his detention. “He has an NSA detention order against him, what is the status of that case? Unless the detention is stayed, how can he attend Parliament?” questioned the Chief Justice.
The 32-year-old Sikh activist, Amritpal Singh, has cited inspiration from the late Khalistani terrorist Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and has been held in Assam since his April 2023 arrest, while nine of his associates were returned to Punjab earlier this year.
In his petition to the High Court, Amritpal Singh has urged the Union and state authorities to allow his release on parole or facilitate his presence in the Lok Sabha during the Winter Session.
He has invoked Section 15 of the NSA, which allows for granting parole to detainees under exceptional circumstances.
In his appeal, the radical leader emphasizes that Parliament is a constitutional body and, as a member and representative of the people, he should be permitted to partake in the sessions of the House.