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Amritpal seeks temporary release to attend Parliament; high court to hear plea today

In his petition, Amritpal has invoked Section 15 of the National Security Act (NSA), which allows temporary release of NSA detainee for a specified period in exceptional circumstances.

The court will hear the plea in detail on November 22.

Amritpal Singh has asked the Punjab and Haryana High Court to grant temporary release from NSA detention so he can attend the Winter Session of Parliament. (Express File Photo by Rana Simranjit Singh)

The Punjab and Haryana High Court Thursday took up for hearing a petition filed by Khadoor Sahib MP Amritpal Singh, who has sought temporary release from Dibrugarh Central Jail to attend the Winter Session of Parliament that begins on December 1.

A Division Bench Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Sanjeev Berry listed the matter for detailed hearing on Friday (November 21).

Amritpal, detained in Assam since April 2023, moved the plea through advocates Imaan Singh Khara, Anmoldeep Singh and S S Cheema, arguing that physical presence in the Lok Sabha was essential to discharge his constitutional duties as an elected representative of nearly 19 lakh constituents.

Amritpal, a self styled preacher and head of Waris Punjab De, has remained detained at Dibrugarh Central Jail under the NSA since April 2023. He was arrested after he and his associates stormed a police station in Ajanla demanding the release of an accused in a kidnapping case. He won the Khadoor Sahib seat in the 2024 general elections as an Independent while in custody.

In his petition, Amritpal has invoked Section 15 of the National Security Act (NSA), which allows temporary release of NSA detainee for a specified period in exceptional circumstances. The plea cites two precedents: Amritpal’s own escorted four-day release in July 2024 to take oath as an MP, and the parole granted to co-detenu Kulwant Singh Dhaliwal for about a week to perform last rites of a family member.

During the brief hearing, the Bench asked about the status of the NSA detention order and whether any challenge to it was pending. The court also noted that temporary parole under Section 15, unlike full release, does not require quashing the detention order but must be justified as an exceptional case.

Also Read | Decode Politics: Is Amritpal Singh’s concern justified — can MPs lose their seat due to prolonged absence?

Counsel for the petitioner argued that the plea for parole was independent of any proceedings challenging the legality of the detention, and that his earlier release for oath-taking showed that the law did not bar temporary escorted movement. They submitted that representation of a parliamentary constituency in an ongoing session met the threshold of exceptional circumstances under the NSA.

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The respondents in the plea include the Union of India, the Punjab government and Assam authorities who currently hold custody of the MP.

The petition also points to constitutional provisions warning that prolonged absence of an MP from the House without permission can risk disqualification after 60 sitting days, although the Lok Sabha has in past cases granted leave of absence to detained members.

Amritpal has remained detained under the NSA since April 2023.

Manraj Grewal Sharma

Manraj Grewal Sharma is a senior journalist and the Resident Editor of The Indian Express in Chandigarh, where she leads the newspaper’s coverage of north India’s most politically and institutionally significant regions. From Punjab and Haryana to Himachal Pradesh and the Union Territory of Chandigarh, she oversees reporting at the intersection of governance, law, politics and society. She also reports on the diaspora, especially in Canada and the US. With a career spanning journalism across several countries, academia and international development, Manraj brings a rare depth of perspective to regional reporting. She is widely regarded as a leading chronicler of Punjab’s contemporary history and socio-political evolution, particularly its long shadow of militancy, federal tensions and identity politics. Her book, Dreams after Darkness, remains a definitive account of the militancy years and their enduring aftermath. Professional Background & Expertise A gold medalist in mass communication and a post-graduate in English literature, Manraj has a multifaceted career spanning journalism, academia, and international development. She was also awarded a fellowship by National Foundation of India and did several in-depth pieces on Manipur. Internationally, she has reported from Israel, US, UK, Myanmar, and Mauritius Her key focus areas include: Regional Politics, History, Agriculture, Diaspora, and Security. Of late, she has started focusing on Legal & Judicial Affairs: Much of her recent work involves reporting on high-stakes cases in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, ranging from environmental policy to civil rights. International Consulting: She previously served as a consulting editor for the Asia Pacific Adaptation Network and a publishing consultant for the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in Manila. Academia: For five years, she was the managing editor of Gender, Technology and Development, a peer-reviewed international journal at the Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Her recent reportage focuses heavily on judicial interventions and regional governance: 1. Environment & Governance "‘NGT can’t test legality of policy’: HC hears challenge to Punjab’s ‘Green Habitat’ plan" (Dec 22, 2025): Covering a critical legal battle over whether the National Green Tribunal has the authority to strike down a state policy regularizing farmhouses on delisted forest land. "High court pulls up Punjab poll panel over audio clip probe" (Dec 10, 2025): Reporting on judicial concerns regarding the transparency and fairness of local body elections. 2. Legal Rights & Social Welfare "HC issues notice to Punjab, Haryana over delay in building old age homes" (Dec 22, 2025): Reporting on a contempt petition against top officials for failing to establish government-run homes for the elderly as promised in 2019. "Victims can appeal acquittals in sessions court without seeking special leave" (Dec 19, 2025): Highlighting a significant procedural shift in criminal law following a Supreme Court ruling. "HC upholds benefits for Punjab FCI officer acquitted in 20-year-old bribery case" (Dec 19, 2025): A report on the concept of "honourable acquittal" and its impact on employee benefits. 3. Human Rights & Identity "As Punjab denies parole to MP Amritpal Singh, HC asks it to submit ‘foundational material’" (Dec 1, 2025): Covering the legal proceedings regarding the radical preacher and sitting MP's request to attend Parliament. "Protecting life paramount: HC backs Muslim woman in live-in after verbal divorce" (Nov 6, 2025): Analyzing judicial protections for personal liberty in the context of traditional practices. Signature Beats Manraj is recognized for her ability to decode complex judicial rulings and relate them to the everyday lives of citizens. Whether it is a 30-year-old land battle in Fazilka or the political implications of Kangana Ranaut’s candidacy in Mandi, her writing provides deep historical and regional context. Contact @grewal_sharma on X manrajgrewalsharma on Instagram ... Read More

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