Punjab Government Denies MP Amritpal Singh's Request for Temporary Release to Attend Parliament
The Punjab Government has firmly rejected an application from detained Lok Sabha MP Amritpal Singh, who sought temporary release under the National Security Act (NSA), 1980, to participate in the ongoing Budget Session of Parliament. This decision, issued by the Additional Chief Secretary of the Department of Home Affairs, aligns with a directive from the Punjab and Haryana High Court dated January 23, 2026.
Background on Amritpal Singh's Detention
Amritpal Singh, the 33-year-old Member of Parliament representing the Khadoor Sahib constituency, is currently held in Dibrugarh Central Jail, Assam. His detention began on April 23, 2025, following a preventive order by the District Magistrate of Amritsar. The state government subsequently approved this detention, which was confirmed by the Advisory Board and extended for a full twelve-month period, set to last until April 22, 2026.
Details of the Rejected Plea
In a representation dated January 17, 2026, Singh requested temporary release to attend the Budget Session, scheduled in two phases: from January 28 to February 13, and from March 9 to April 2. He also asked authorities to make necessary arrangements for his presence in Parliament. However, the Punjab Government declined this request, emphasizing that even a temporary release would pose a serious threat to the security of the State and the maintenance of Public Order.
The government order references detailed grounds of detention that describe Singh's activities as highly dangerous with the potential and designs to imperil and subvert the security of the State. Both the District Magistrate of Amritsar and the Senior Superintendent of Police, Amritsar (Rural), strongly opposed the temporary release in their comments submitted to the government.
Legal and Constitutional Precedents Cited
The order heavily relies on constitutional precedents to justify the decision. It cites the 1966 Supreme Court Constitution Bench judgment in K. Anandan Nambiar and another Vs. Chief Secretary, Govt. of Madras and others, which held that a detained Member of Parliament has no constitutional right to attend parliamentary sessions and enjoys no special status above an ordinary citizen. This principle was reaffirmed in the 1975 Constitution Bench ruling in Smt Indira Nehru Gandhi Vs. Shri Raj Narain & Anr.
The government order states, Taking into consideration the entire record and keeping in mind the gravity and enormity of the Grounds of Detention... necessitating his continuous and uninterrupted detention for the maximum period of twelve months... and the absence of any legally enforceable right to attend the session(s) of Parliament while in detention, Singh's application stands declined.
Communication and Further Details
The decision was communicated to Singh via email and special messenger through the Superintendent of Dibrugarh Central Jail, as well as to his counsel, Senior Advocate R.S. Bains. Copies have also been sent to central ministries, the Director General of Police, Punjab, and other concerned authorities.
Amritpal Singh, leader of Waris Punjab De, was elected to the Lok Sabha in 2024 while already in judicial custody in Assam in connection with various cases. His detention under the NSA was imposed shortly before the expiry of an earlier detention period, citing continued threat to national security and public order.
This case highlights the ongoing tensions between individual rights and state security measures in India, particularly in regions like Punjab where historical and political factors play a significant role. The government's stance underscores its commitment to maintaining law and order, even when it involves elected representatives.
