Amritpal Singh Case Stalls Due to Lack of Fresh Detention Orders
The Punjab and Haryana High Court was informed on Tuesday that fresh grounds of detention had not yet been supplied to Member of Parliament from Khadoor Sahib Amritpal Singh, currently lodged in Dibrugarh Jail in Assam under the National Security Act (NSA). This development has stalled the progress of the case, as Amritpal Singh’s counsel told the court that he did not have instructions, as of now, to challenge the third detention order.
Amritpal Singh, a prominent Sikh leader, was arrested on March 18, 2022, and has been detained under the NSA since then. The Punjab Police had booked him under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Arms Act for his alleged involvement in a violent incident in Faridkot.
The Punjab and Haryana High Court had earlier granted bail to Amritpal Singh, but the Assam government challenged the order and the Supreme Court stayed the bail. Amritpal Singh was then shifted to Dibrugarh Jail in Assam, where he has been lodged under the NSA.
The latest development in the case came to light when Amritpal Singh’s counsel appeared before the Punjab and Haryana High Court to seek directions on the fresh detention order. However, the counsel informed the court that the fresh grounds of detention had not been supplied, and therefore, he did not have instructions to challenge the third detention order.
The counsel told the court that the Punjab government had not yet furnished the required information, including the grounds of detention, to Amritpal Singh’s family. He added that the family had not received any communication from the government regarding the fresh detention order.
The Punjab government’s counsel, on the other hand, assured the court that the required information would be supplied to Amritpal Singh’s family within a week. However, the court was not satisfied with this assurance and adjourned the matter to next week.
The Amritpal Singh case has been a subject of controversy, with many questioning the validity of his detention under the NSA. The Punjab and Haryana High Court had earlier granted bail to Amritpal Singh, but the Supreme Court stayed the bail, allowing the Assam government to detain him under the NSA.
The detention of Amritpal Singh has sparked widespread protests in Punjab, with many calling for his immediate release. The Punjab government has been accused of using the NSA to silence political opponents and dissenting voices.
The Amritpal Singh case is not an isolated incident. There have been several instances in recent years where political leaders and activists have been detained under the NSA without adequate grounds or due process. The Punjab government has been criticized for using the NSA to stifle dissent and silence opposing voices.
The lack of fresh detention orders in the Amritpal Singh case is a clear indication of the government’s reluctance to provide adequate information to the courts and the public. The Punjab and Haryana High Court’s decision to adjourn the matter to next week is a step in the right direction, but it is not enough.
Amritpal Singh’s detention under the NSA is a clear violation of his fundamental rights, including the right to freedom and the right to a fair trial. The Punjab government must take immediate action to provide fresh detention orders and ensure that Amritpal Singh is released from detention.
In conclusion, the Amritpal Singh case highlights the need for transparency and accountability in the government’s use of the National Security Act. The Punjab government must ensure that adequate grounds are provided for detention and that due process is followed in all cases. The courts must also play a proactive role in ensuring that the rights of citizens are protected and that the government is held accountable for its actions.
