Punjab Government Rejects Detained MP's Parliament Attendance Request
The Punjab government has formally rejected Khadoor Sahib Member of Parliament Amritpal Singh's application for temporary release to attend the upcoming winter session of Parliament. The decision, dated November 24, cites the MP's ongoing detention under the National Security Act and the grave threat he poses to state security and public order.
Legal Grounds for Rejection
In an order issued by the Additional Chief Secretary of Punjab's home department, the government referenced a Supreme Court ruling where a Constitution bench clearly stated that a detained MP has no constitutional right to attend parliamentary sessions. This legal precedent formed a crucial basis for denying the temporary release application.
The order specifically mentioned input from the Amritsar Rural senior superintendent of police and the Amritsar district magistrate, both of whom strongly opposed Amritpal Singh's temporary release. These law enforcement officials expressed serious concerns about the potential threat to state security and public order if the detained MP were to be released, even temporarily.
Detention History and Security Concerns
Amritpal Singh has been in detention since April 23, 2025, following an order issued by then Amritsar deputy commissioner Sakshi Sawhney on April 17, 2025. The detention was authorized for a period of 12 months under the National Security Act, 1980.
The Punjab home secretary's order emphasized that considering Amritpal Singh's detention record and the manifest danger he represents to state security, his continued detention remains necessary. The order explicitly stated that the MP's application for temporary release under Section 15 of the National Security Act to attend the Winter Session commencing from December 1, 2025, stands officially declined.
The development follows a November 21 directive from the Punjab and Haryana High Court, which had instructed the Punjab home secretary to decide on Amritpal Singh's November 13 application within one week. The Akali Dal Waris Punjab De chief had sought temporary release specifically to attend the winter parliamentary session and had requested directions to parliamentary authorities to facilitate his attendance.
This decision underscores the government's firm stance on maintaining security protocols while balancing parliamentary responsibilities of elected representatives facing serious legal restrictions.
