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High Court seeks detention records in MP Amritpal’s case, gives Punjab week to reply

The Bench, headed by Chief Justice Sheel Nagu, noted at the outset that the Supreme Court, by an order dated November 10, 2025, had fixed an outer limit of six weeks for adjudication of the matter. It also recorded that the petition assailing the detention order dated April 17, 2025, had been instituted in the first week of December.

3 min readJan 13, 2026 12:55 PM IST

Punjab and Haryana High Court asks Punjab to produce original files on preventive detention of MP Amritpal Singh under NSA as it hears challenge to his continued detention. (Source: File)

The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Monday directed the Punjab government to place on record the original files that formed the basis of the preventive detention order issued against Khadoor Sahib Lok Sabha MP Amritpal Singh. The direction was issued as the court granted the State one week to submit a para-wise reply to Singh’s petition challenging his third consecutive detention under the National Security Act.

The Bench, headed by Chief Justice Sheel Nagu, noted at the outset that the Supreme Court, by an order dated November 10, 2025, had fixed an outer limit of six weeks for adjudication of the matter. It also recorded that the petition assailing the detention order dated April 17, 2025, had been instituted in the first week of December.

Observing that it could not take the matter forward in the absence of a detailed response from the respondents, the Bench allowed the State’s request for additional time and granted a week to file its reply.

The court further directed that the original records substantiating the grounds of detention be produced on the next date of hearing, and listed the case for January 20.
Senior advocate Anupam Gupta appeared for the Punjab government, while Additional Solicitor General Satya Pal Jain represented the Union of India.

Amritpal Singh has questioned the legality of the third successive detention order, contending that there is no credible material linking him to activities prejudicial to public order or national security. The petition, filed through advocates Arshdeep Singh Cheema, Imaan Singh Khara and Harjot Singh Mann, describes the detention as arbitrary, without jurisdiction and in violation of the constitutional safeguards under Articles 21 and 22.

It has been argued that Singh has remained under preventive detention since April 2023 despite the absence of material justifying his continued incarceration. The plea also denies allegations of his association with anti-national elements or any conspiracy to physically harm individuals, asserting that such claims are unsupported by evidence.

According to the petition, prior to his detention, Singh was involved in social reform initiatives, including youth-focused anti-addiction campaigns, drug abuse awareness programmes and community outreach through his organisation Waris Punjab De. It states that his public speeches centred on Sikh values, cultural identity and constitutional rights, and did not advocate separatism or violence.

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The petition further maintains that preventive detention cannot be sustained solely on the basis of pending criminal cases, particularly when those matters are already being tried by competent courts. Each FIR, it submits, is being examined independently and no imminent or overarching threat has been demonstrated to warrant invocation of the National Security Act.

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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