The Punjab government on Tuesday informed the Punjab and Haryana High Court that the stringent National Security Act had been invoked against Amritpal Singh. Justice N S Shekhawat on Saturday pulled up the state government over Amritpal Singh dodging the police and termed it an intelligence failure while hearing a habeas corpus petition seeking production of the preacher in court.
Advocate Iman Singh Khara had filed the petition seeking the “release” of Amritpal Singh from alleged police custody. Khara is the legal advisor to Amritpal Singh and his organization ‘Waris Punjab De’. Punjab Police says that Khalistan supporters are still absconding after escaping their trap.
Khara claimed that Amritpal Singh was “illegally and forcibly” detained by the police from Jalandhar’s Shahkot area. Talking to the media after the court hearing, Khara said that Advocate General of Punjab Vinod Ghai filed his record related to Amritpal Singh in the High Court. Khara said Ghai told the court five to six FIRs had been registered. The petitioner further stated that the AG told the court that NSA had been invoked against Amritpal Singh.
The step was taken after Amritsar’s Senior Superintendent of Police made a recommendation to the district magistrates. However, according to the reply filed by the state, Amritpal Singh has yet to be taken into custody by the police, Khara said. After filing the petition, the High Court issued a notice of motion to the state government for March 21. The police on Saturday launched a major crackdown against Amritpal Singh and members of Waris Punjab De. However, the elusive preacher outwitted the police and escaped the police trap when his convoy was intercepted in the Jalandhar district.
