Jialed Amritpal Singh moves HC, seeks temporary release to file nomination for Lok Sabha polls
PTC News Desk: Jailed separatist and "Waris Punjab De" chief Amritpal Singh on Friday approached the Punjab and Haryana High Court, seeking temporary release to file his nomination to contest the Lok Sabha polls.
Amritpal plans to run as an independent candidate from Punjab's Sri Khadoor Sahib constituency, which goes to polls on June 1.
Singh petitioned for a seven-day release so that he could file his nomination for the polls before the May 14 deadline. He has also requested that the jail officials make the required arrangements for him to finish the paperwork, including having his photograph clicked and opening a new bank account.
"The petitioner is a citizen of India and an elector from Khadoor Sahib Constituency and therefore is qualified for contesting the elections," the plea read. The appeal also states that Singh's father, Tarsem Singh, has addressed letters to Punjab's Chief Electoral Officer and Amritsar's District Magistrate, requesting instructions for him to file his nomination.
Singh claimed in his petition that, despite the Punjab poll chief's letter requesting necessary action to facilitate his nomination, the "State of Punjab and District Magistrate, Amritsar have deliberately not issued any further instructions in order to delay and make sure that the petitioner is not able to file his nomination to contest Lok Sabha Election."
Singh was arrested in April last year under the strict National Security Act (NSA) after his supporters stormed into a police station in Punjab's Ajnala and clashed with officers over the release of one of his aides. He is currently lodged in Assam's Dibrugarh Jail.
- With inputs from agencies
