Amritpal Singh to Face Formal Arrest as NSA Detention Period Concludes
After spending three years incarcerated at Dibrugarh Central Jail, Khadoor Sahib Member of Parliament and Waris Punjab De chief Amritpal Singh is scheduled to undergo formal arrest on Thursday. This development coincides with the expiration of his detention under the stringent National Security Act (NSA). A specialized team from the Punjab Police, originating from Amritsar (rural) and commanded by a deputy superintendent of police, has been stationed in Dibrugarh since April 19. Their mission is to carry out the arrest in connection with the high-profile Ajnala police station attack case from February 2023, a legal matter that has been in judicial suspension due to his ongoing NSA detention.
Background of the Case and Initial Detention
Amritpal Singh was initially taken into custody on April 23, 2023, in Punjab's Moga district. This arrest followed an incident nearly two months prior where he and his armed supporters allegedly stormed through barricades, forcibly entered the Ajnala police station on the outskirts of Amritsar, and engaged in violent clashes with police officers. The objective was to secure the release of an associate. Subsequently, he has been confined in Dibrugarh jail under NSA provisions, located thousands of kilometers away from Punjab. The state government has consistently justified this remote detention by citing significant law and order concerns.
Judicial Approval for Arrest and Virtual Proceedings
The Punjab and Haryana High Court granted approval last week for the Punjab government's request to formally arrest Amritpal Singh in the Ajnala case once his NSA detention lapses. The court also sanctioned his continued imprisonment in Dibrugarh jail post-arrest. Furthermore, the judiciary permitted all trial proceedings, including police and judicial remand, to be conducted via video conferencing. This arrangement allows the radical Sikh leader to participate in his defense without requiring physical transportation to Amritsar. "After his formal arrest, Amritpal will continue to be lodged in Dibrugarh jail. His arrest will pave the way for the trial to finally begin in the Ajnala police station attack case, where he is the prime accused," stated an officer overseeing the case.
Charges and Legal Framework
Charges have already been formally framed against 41 accused individuals, including Amritpal Singh, under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code. These charges encompass serious offenses such as:
- Attempt to murder (Section 307)
- Assault on public servants (Section 353)
- Criminal conspiracy (Section 120B)
- Rioting (Section 148)
- Unlawful assembly (Section 149)
Additionally, Section 25 of the Arms Act has been invoked. The First Information Report for this case was officially registered on February 24, 2023. Amritpal's legal counsel, advocate Harpal Singh Khara, previously confirmed that the court authorized the state to proceed with the arrest following the NSA period and to manage subsequent proceedings virtually.
Associates and Broader Legal Challenges
Nine of Amritpal Singh's close associates, including Papalpreet Singh, Daljeet Singh Kalsi, and others, were also detained under the NSA and initially sent to Dibrugarh. However, they were transferred back to Punjab last year after the government decided against extending their detention. These individuals are currently undergoing trial in the Ajnala sub-divisional court. Amritpal's legal predicaments extend far beyond the Ajnala case. At least 12 other FIRs are pending against him and his supporters across districts such as Amritsar (rural), Jalandhar, and Moga. These cases are linked to various incidents of violence and intimidation. Moreover, he is identified as the alleged primary conspirator in the murder of social media influencer Gurpreet Singh, alias Hari Nau, who was fatally shot in Kotkapura on October 9, 2024, while returning from a village gurdwara.
Political Context and Parliamentary Status
Despite his incarceration, Amritpal Singh secured victory in the Khadoor Sahib Lok Sabha seat during the 2024 general elections, running as an Independent candidate. He was administered the oath of office on July 5, 2024, marking the sole occasion he has attended Parliament. Two subsequent petitions seeking parole to participate in parliamentary sessions were rejected by the High Court, with the Punjab government persistently highlighting law and order concerns as the rationale. With Thursday's formal arrest, the long-delayed judicial process in the Ajnala police station attack case is finally anticipated to commence, setting the wheels of justice in motion after years of legal stagnation.
