The Punjab and Haryana High Court has ruled that Amritpal Singh, a prominent Khalistani leader, will continue to be detained in Dibrugarh jail, Assam, even after his current detention under the National Security Act ends on April 22. This interim order was made during a hearing on March 17, where a bench comprising the Chief Justice and Justice Sanjeev Berry evaluated a petition filed by the Punjab government. The government urged that Singh’s custody should be maintained due to ongoing investigations into several criminal cases.

In its arguments, the Punjab government expressed concerns that transferring Singh back to Punjab could create a potential risk to public safety, citing intelligence assessments regarding his influence and the atmosphere of unrest associated with his activities. The court took these assertions into account, leading to its decision to allow Singh to remain incarcerated in Assam beyond the scheduled end of his NSA detention.

Opposition from Amritpal Singh’s Legal Team

Singh’s legal representatives opposed the continued detention in Assam, asserting that it hinders his right to access legal remedies, including bail and the opportunity for trial. They highlighted that Singh is implicated in a total of eleven First Information Reports (FIRs) and called for his formal arrest in each case to facilitate simultaneous legal proceedings.

After considering the arguments from both parties, the High Court decided to permit the interim extension of Singh’s custody in Assam. It instructed officials to ensure that Singh has adequate access to legal representation and to facilitate court hearings via video conferencing. This means that he will participate in upcoming legal proceedings from the confines of Dibrugarh jail.

The Assam government informed the court that the necessary arrangements for such legal processes are already established at the jail facility, allowing for compliance with the court’s directives. The bench has approved virtual hearings for all pending matters from Dibrugarh, ensuring that Singh can engage in the legal process while remaining incarcerated.

Background on Amritpal Singh’s Criminal Cases

Amritpal Singh faces multiple charges linked to various incidents, including a notorious attack on the Ajnala police station on February 23, 2023. During this incident, Singh and his supporters, armed with weapons, allegedly broke through police barricades and forcibly entered the police facility in Amritsar. This event sparked a larger crackdown by Punjab Police on Singh’s group, Waris Punjab De.

Singh, who has positioned himself ideologically akin to the separatist Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, was apprehended in Moga on April 23, 2023, after eluding law enforcement for almost a month. His arrest came amidst heightened tensions following the police response to his faction’s actions.

Despite his legal challenges, Singh has actively participated in politics, running as an independent candidate in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. He successfully secured a seat from Khadoor Sahib in the Tarn Taran district, further demonstrating his influence within certain constituencies despite the ongoing judicial processes against him.

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