Supreme Court snub: Amritpal Singh told to approach High court over NSA detention challenge

Chandigarh (The Uttam Hindu) : Pro-Khalistan MP from Khadoor Sahib, Amritpal Singh, has received a setback from the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court refused to hear his petition challenging the imposition of the National Security Act (NSA) directly, asking him to first approach the High Court. The court directed the concerned High Court to complete the hearing within six weeks of the filing of the case. This order was given by a bench of Justice Arvind Kumar and Justice N.V. Anjaneya.

On October 31st, MP Amritpal filed a petition opposing the imposition of the NSA. The Supreme Court today stated that he should have approached the High Court before coming here. The court directed the High Court to complete the hearing of the case within six weeks. The petition also made parties to the petition, including the Government of India and the Punjab Government, the Amritsar DC, the Amritsar SSP Rural, and the Superintendent of Dibrugarh Jail. Amritpal's lawyers argued that the imposition of the NSA violated his personal liberty and that his detention should be ended.

Amritpal's petition also demanded that he be allowed to participate in Parliament sessions, which have been prevented due to his detention. Amritpal's petition also stated that obstructing the work of an MP violates the democratic rights of his constituency. The murder case for which the NSA has been extended against MP Amritpal dates back to October 9, 2024. The police's SIT investigation revealed Amritpal's name, along with terrorist Arsh Dalla, as being involved in the conspiracy. Amritpal is currently lodged in Dibrugarh jail in Assam.

Amritpal Singh has been booked under the NSA for the third time. He and nine other associates were detained for two years. This time, the NSA was revoked for all nine associates, but only Amritpal Singh's was extended for another year. Amritpal Singh has been in custody since April 23, 2023.