Amritpal Singh to Remain in Dibrugarh Jail After Court Rejects Petition

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has dismissed a petition filed by Khadoor Sahib MP Amritpal Singh challenging his detention under the National Security Act (NSA), delivering a major setback to the leader. A bench led by Chief Justice Sheel Nagu, while pronouncing the order in open court, stated that the detention orders issued against Singh were “clear as daylight” and fall outside the scope of judicial review. The court emphasized that such administrative decisions, taken in the interest of public safety and national integrity, must be given due weight. In his petition, Singh had argued that his detention was “arbitrary” and violated his fundamental rights under Articles 21 and 22 of the Constitution. His counsel contended that Singh was engaged in social reform activities, particularly anti-drug campaigns, and that his speeches were rooted in Sikh values rather than promoting violence or separatism. Opposing the plea, senior advocate Anupam Gupta, appearing for the Punjab government, presented serious allegations to justify the detention. He informed the court that Singh had links with dangerous terrorists and gangsters. The state also referred to a 15-member “hit list,” which, according to the government, posed a significant threat to security. Gupta argued that the detention was necessary in view of the grave risks arising from these alleged associations. After considering all submissions, the bench rejected the petitioner’s claim that the detention was based solely on past FIRs. The court reiterated that the grounds for detention were substantial and justified under the prevailing circumstances. Additional Solicitor General Satya Pal Jain represented the Centre during the proceedings. With the dismissal of the petition, Singh will continue to remain in custody at Dibrugarh Central Jail in Assam, where he has been lodged since April 2023.