High Court directs Punjab govt to decide on Amritpal Singh's parole plea within a week

Chandigarh (The Uttam Hindu) : The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Friday directed the Punjab Home Department to pronounce its verdict within a week on the representative petition filed by Khadoor Sahib MP Amritpal Singh seeking his temporary release to attend the upcoming winter session of Parliament.

The division bench headed by Chief Justice Sheel Nagu stated clearly that if possible, the decision should be made before the session begins and Amritpal Singh should be informed of it. Amritpal Singh has sought permission from the court to participate in the winter session, which runs from December 1 to December 19. He is currently lodged in Dibrugarh Central Jail in Assam under the National Security Act (NSA).

Amritpal Singh has argued before the court that he be granted interim release or parole under Section 15 of the NSA so that he can raise issues concerning his constituency in Parliament. He has also offered the option that if release is not possible, the government should make the necessary arrangements to ensure his personal presence in Parliament.

On November 13th, he sent a representation to the Union Home Ministry, the Punjab government, and the Amritsar District Magistrate, requesting a decision in this regard. The High Court has now directed a speedy decision on these letters.

Claiming to represent around 19 lakh voters, Amritpal Singh says that his presence in Parliament is necessary so that he can raise the problems of his constituency as per democratic and constitutional norms.