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Too late for relief, HC holds Amritpal’s parole plea ‘infructuous’

Gives the MP the liberty to seek parole for future sessions of Lok Sabha

3 min readChandigarhDec 18, 2025 10:15 PM IST

Punjab and Haryana High Court, Amritpal Singh, Khadoor Sahib MP, temporary parole, Winter Session of Parliament,

Amritpal Singh had filed a representation in November seeking parole under Section 15 of the National Security Act to attend the Winter Session. (File photo)

The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Thursday held that the petition filed by detained Khadoor Sahib MP Amritpal Singh seeking temporary parole to attend the Winter Session of Parliament, had “virtually become infructuous”, bringing to an end his attempt to secure permission to participate in the session that concluded on December 18.

At the beginning of the hearing, a Division Bench headed by Chief Justice Sheel Nagu questioned the practicability of any order even if it were to be passed in the MP’s favour. The Bench observed that transporting Amritpal Singh from Dibrugarh Central Jail in Assam to Delhi would itself take at least 10 hours even by helicopter, making the grant of any relief impracticable at such a late stage.

The Khadoor Sahib MP had filed a representation in November seeking parole under Section 15 of the National Security Act to attend the Winter Session. On November 21, the high court had directed the Punjab government to decide the representation within a week. The state, however, rejected the request on November 24, citing apprehensions relating to law and order and public security.

Amritpal Singh subsequently challenged the rejection before the high court in the last week of November, contending that the denial was arbitrary and had the effect of silencing an elected Member of Parliament. The matter was taken up for hearing in early December, with the state strongly opposing parole on security grounds.

The Bench recorded that an effective hearing could not take place on December 15, 16 and 17 owing to abstention from work by lawyers. While the counsel for the MP presented his arguments and submissions on behalf of the respondents remained incomplete. The counsel also informed the court that the Winter Session was scheduled to conclude on December 18.

“In these circumstances, the cause has virtually become infructuous,” the court observed, declining to proceed further. It, however, granted him liberty to approach the appropriate forum if a similar cause of action arose in a future parliamentary session.

Amritpal Singh, who has been detained under the NSA since April 2023 and is lodged in Dibrugarh Central Jail, appeared before the Bench through video conferencing on December 16, a day when lawyers were on strike, and addressed the court himself. He has not attended any parliamentary sitting since taking oath earlier this year on brief parole.

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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