The Supreme Court on Monday refused to entertain a plea by Khadoor Sahib MP Amritpal Singh challenging his continued detention under the National Security Act (NSA). The apex court advised that the appropriate remedy for the petitioner lies with the jurisdictional High Court. The bench, led by Justice Aravind Kumar, also urged the High Court to conclude the hearing within six weeks considering the long duration of his Amritpal Singh NSA detention.
In his writ petition, Amritpal Singh currently lodged in Dibrugarh Central Jail, Assam argued that preventing an elected MP from fulfilling his constitutional duties violates both his fundamental rights and those of the Khadoor Sahib electorate. The 31-year-old, known as the chief of ‘Waris Punjab De,’ was detained under the NSA following his arrest on March 18, 2023, after a massive state crackdown.
Amritpal Singh’s Political Rise Despite Detention
Despite being under Amritpal Singh NSA detention, the Sikh leader achieved a remarkable political victory. Contesting as an Independent, he won the Khadoor Sahib Lok Sabha seat by a margin of 1,97,120 votes against Congress candidate Kulbir Singh Zira. He was granted a brief four-day parole to take oath in the Lok Sabha, following a no-objection clearance from the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
His case has drawn parallels to that of Engineer Rashid from Jammu and Kashmir, another incarcerated leader allowed to take oath after winning elections.
Allegations Of Gadget Misuse Inside Dibrugarh Jail
The Amritpal Singh NSA detention case has gained further attention after Dibrugarh Jail Superintendent Nipen Das was arrested under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and the Assam Prisons Act. Das allegedly supplied unauthorised gadgets to detainees, including Amritpal Singh, allowing access to the internet.
According to the Assam Police, these gadgets enabled Singh to communicate externally and expand his influence from within prison. The Superintendent of Police stated that while the jail manual has specific provisions for NSA detainees, the jail official violated those norms.
FAQs
Q: What did the Supreme Court say about the Amritpal Singh NSA detention case?
A: The Supreme Court refused to hear Amritpal Singh’s plea and directed him to approach the jurisdictional High Court within six weeks.
Q: Why is Amritpal Singh under NSA detention?
A: He was detained under the National Security Act after his arrest in March 2023 during a major crackdown by Punjab Police.
Q: Was Amritpal Singh allowed to take oath as MP despite his detention?
A: Yes, he was granted a four-day parole to take oath in the Lok Sabha after the NIA raised no objection.
Q: What controversy surrounds Amritpal Singh’s jail detention?
A: The Dibrugarh Jail Superintendent was arrested for allegedly supplying devices that allowed Amritpal Singh and others internet access during their detention.
