Amritpal Singh setback: High Court dismisses plea against NSA detention, cites serious threat
PTC Web Desk: The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Thursday dismissed a petition filed by Khadoor Sahib MP Amritpal Singh, who had challenged his continued detention under the National Security Act (NSA).
While delivering the verdict, a Bench led by Chief Justice Sheel Nagu stated in open court that the detention order could not be interfered with under judicial review. With this observation, the court rejected the plea.
Amritpal Singh, in his petition, had argued that his detention was unlawful and violated his fundamental rights under Articles 21 and 22 of the Constitution. He claimed that he had been held in preventive detention since April 2023 without sufficient evidence to justify his continued custody.
His legal team also told the court that before his arrest, he was actively involved in social work, including campaigns against drug abuse and youth awareness programmes through his organisation, Waris Punjab De. They maintained that his speeches focused on cultural and constitutional matters, not violence or separatist activities.
The petition further stated that ongoing criminal cases against him were already being handled by courts and could not be used as grounds for preventive detention. It also questioned the latest detention order, which was reportedly based on an FIR registered in October 2024. According to Singh, his name was not initially mentioned in the FIR and was added later, with no solid evidence linking him to the case.
Despite these claims, the State opposed the plea and justified the continued detention. It argued that there was a serious threat linked to a “hit list” and alleged connections between Singh and known terrorists and gangsters.
Representing the State, senior advocate Anupam Gupta told the court that the detention was based on the severity of the threat and Singh’s alleged links with anti-national elements. The Centre also supported this position through its legal representatives.
After hearing both sides, the High Court ruled in favour of the State, allowing the detention to continue.
- PTC NEWS
