Jobanpreet Singh case: Punjab and Haryana High Court orders release, questions legality of arrest
Jobanjeet Singh case: In a significant development, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has ordered the release of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Jobanpreet Singh, raising serious concerns over the legality of his arrest and observing that the procedure adopted by the police appeared to be in violation of constitutional safeguards and Supreme Court guidelines.
The court was hearing a habeas corpus petition filed by Jobanpreet Singh’s father, Mukhwant Singh, who alleged that his son had been illegally detained by the police without being provided written grounds for arrest, as mandated under Article 22(1) of the Constitution and recent Supreme Court directions.
During the hearing, the High Court took a stern view of the police action and reportedly questioned the credibility of the investigating officers if the accused was ultimately acquitted. The court also expressed concern over the manner in which the arrest was carried out in connection with a chain-snatching case.
According to the petition, Jobanpreet Singh was arrested in the early hours of May 31. His counsel argued that the police failed to furnish written grounds of arrest and did not comply with the mandatory legal requirements. It was further submitted that during proceedings before the Duty Magistrate in Amritsar, the state conceded that neither a notice under Section 35 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) had been issued nor written grounds of arrest provided to the detainee.
The petitioner alleged that the case was politically motivated. He claimed that Jobanpreet Singh had served as the election agent of a SAD candidate during the recently concluded municipal elections and that a false FIR was registered against him following the defeat of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). The petition described the arrest as a misuse of police machinery driven by political rivalry.
The High Court had earlier issued notices to the Punjab government, the Director General of Police (DGP), and other respondents, seeking their response in the matter.
The petition also sought directions for the preservation and production of CCTV footage, video recordings, and other electronic evidence related to the arrest, alleged concealment, and detention of the detainee.
The controversy had triggered protests at Majitha police station, following which an FIR was also registered against senior SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia. Meanwhile, an Amritsar court has directed the Rural SSP to provide a copy of the FIR registered against Majithia within 24 hours. The matter is scheduled to come up for further hearing on Tuesday.
- PTC NEWS
