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Amritpal Singh’s aide likely to be brought to Punjab; Khadoor Sahib MP could be next

If Amritpal Singh is brought back to Punjab, he could be lodged in a jail outside the state, as recent amendments to the Transfer of Prisoners Act allow the government to do so.

Amritpal Singh and Papalpreet Singh , PunjabAmritpal Singh and Papalpreet Singh had disguised themselves in a bid to escape being caught by the police in 2023. (Express Photo)

The Punjab government is set to revoke the National Security Act (NSA) against Papalpreet Singh, a close aide of Khadoor Sahib MP Amritpal Singh, following which he will be brought back to the state, sources said.

Papalpreet is among the nine associates of Waris Punjab De head Amritpal Singh who were arrested under the NSA in 2023 and lodged in Assam’s Dibrugarh jail following the storming of the Ajnala police station.

Papalpreet was arrested on April 10, 2023. An Ajnala police team has already left for Dibrugarh to bring Papalpreet on transit remand, sources said. The move follows the Aam Aadmi Party government’s announcement last month that it would not seek a third extension of charges under the NSA against Amritpal’s associates.

While Papalpreet’s likely return to Punjab has raised speculation about whether or not Amritpal too would be brought back to the state after two years, questions are also being raised on whether the MP would be kept in a state jail or moved elsewhere.

Last month, the Punjab Assembly passed amendments to the Transfer of Prisoners Act, 1950, allowing the government to send undertrial prisoners in jails out of Punjab. This means that it is possible that Amritpal could be sent out of the state even after revoking the NSA against him, according to sources.

Amritpal’s associates are currently lodged in Punjab jails.

Meanwhile, the government has yet to make an official announcement on the matter.

Kamaldeep Singh Brar is a Principal Correspondent at The Indian Express, primarily covering Amritsar and the Majha region of Punjab. He is one of the publication's key reporters for stories involving the Akal Takht, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), and the sensitive socio-political issues of the border districts. Core Beats & Specializations Religious & Panthic Affairs: He has deep expertise in the internal workings of the Akal Takht and SGPC, frequently reporting on religious sentences (Tankhah), Panthic politics, and the influence of Sikh institutions. National Security & Crime: His reporting covers cross-border drug smuggling, drone activities from Pakistan, and the activities of radical groups. Regional Politics: He is the primary correspondent for the Majha belt, covering elections and political shifts in Amritsar, Tarn Taran, and Gurdaspur. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) His work in late 2025 has been centered on judicial developments, local body elections, and religious controversies: 1. Religious Politics & Akal Takht "Akal Takht pronounces religious sentences against former Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh" (Dec 8, 2025): Covering the historic decision to hold the former Jathedar guilty for granting a pardon to Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim in 2015. "YouTube suspends SGPC’s channel for a week over video on 1984 Army action" (Nov 20, 2025): Reporting on the digital friction between global tech platforms and Sikh religious bodies. "As AAP govt grants Amritsar holy tag, a look at its fraught demand" (Nov 28, 2025): An analytical piece on the long-standing demand for declaring Amritsar a "holy city" and its political implications. 2. Crime & National Security "Mostly Khalistanis on Amritpal’s hit list: Punjab govt to High Court" (Dec 16, 2025): Reporting on the state government's claims regarding jailed MP Amritpal Singh orchestrating activity from prison. "Punjab man with links to Pakistan’s ISI handlers killed in encounter" (Nov 20, 2025): Detailing a police operation in Amritsar involving "newly refurbished" firearms likely sent from across the border. "15 schools in Amritsar get bomb threat emails; police launch probe" (Dec 12, 2025): Covering the panic and police response to mass threats against educational institutions. 3. Political Analysis & Elections "AAP wins 12 of 15 zones in SAD stronghold Majitha" (Dec 19, 2025): Highlighting a significant shift in the 2025 rural elections where the Akali Dal lost its grip on a traditional fortress. "Tarn Taran bypoll: woman faces threats after complaining to CM Mann about drug menace" (Nov 9, 2025): A ground report on the personal risks faced by citizens speaking out against the illegal drug trade in border villages. "AAP wins Tarn Taran bypoll, but SAD finds silver lining" (Nov 14, 2025): Analyzing the 2025 assembly by-election results and the surprising performance of Independents backed by radical factions. 4. Human Interest "Two couples and a baby: Punjab drug addiction tragedy has new victims" (Nov 20, 2025): A tragic investigative piece about parents selling an infant to fund their addiction. "Kashmiri women artisans debut at Amritsar’s PITEX" (Dec 8, 2025): A feature on financial independence initiatives for rural women at the Punjab International Trade Expo. Signature Beat Kamaldeep is known for his nuanced understanding of border dynamics. His reporting often highlights the "drug crisis in the underprivileged localities" (like Muradpur in Tarn Taran, Nov 9, 2025), providing a voice to marginalized communities affected by addiction and administrative neglect. X (Twitter): @kamalsbrar ... Read More

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