The Punjab and Haryana High Court has directed the Punjab government to take a final decision within a week on the parole request of Khadoor Sahib MP Amritpal Singh, who is currently lodged in Dibrugarh Jail under the National Security Act (NSA). Amritpal had sought parole to attend the winter session of Parliament and had approached the High Court after being advised by the Supreme Court to do so.
A division bench of Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Sanjiv Berry passed the order while hearing his petition. During the hearing, the judges questioned senior advocate R.S. Bains, who appeared for Amritpal, asking what issues the MP planned to raise in Parliament and whether he intended to speak or remain silent. Advocate Bains replied that Amritpal would likely speak on matters related to flood relief.
Appearing for the central government, Assistant Solicitor General Satyapal Jain told the court that only the concerned state authority can grant permission for an MP to attend Parliament. Meanwhile, Amritpal’s lawyer informed the bench that a parole application had already been submitted to the Punjab government and the District Magistrate.
However, Additional Advocate General Chanchal Singh, representing the Punjab government, said the request submitted by Amritpal was only a representation and not a formal application. After hearing all sides, the court directed the state to consider the plea on its own. Government counsel assured the bench that the matter would be examined.
The petition also highlights that Amritpal Singh won the 2024 Lok Sabha election from Khadoor Sahib by nearly two lakh votes despite being in jail since April 2023. His plea argues that he represents lakhs of voters and should be allowed to attend parliamentary proceedings or be granted temporary parole.
The petition further states that a third detention order was issued against him on April 17, 2024, which was later upheld by the Advisory Board. His detention was extended again on June 24. Amritpal applied for parole on November 13, but a decision is still pending.