Mata Charan Kaur (84), grandmother of Khadoor Sahib MP and Waris Punjab De chief Amritpal Singh, passed away on Sunday following a prolonged illness. Following her death, a panel of lawyers has approached the Amritsar court, seeking parole for Amritpal Singh and two other jailed family members to attend her funeral and subsequent religious ceremonies.
The parole application has been filed on behalf of Amritpal Singh, his uncle Harjit Singh of Jallupur Khera, and his relative Sukhmandeep Singh. All three are currently lodged in Assam's Dibrugarh Jail under the National Security Act (NSA).
According to the family's representatives, Mata Charan Kaur had been unwell and bedridden for some time. She reportedly breathed her last at around 4 PM on Sunday. The legal team has requested the court to grant parole on humanitarian grounds so that the three men can be present for the final rites.
Advocates Karamvir Singh and Harjot Singh Mann, members of the legal team, said the family requires around 10 to 12 days to complete the religious ceremonies. These include the cremation, collection of ashes for immersion, the recitation of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji through Sahaj Path and the concluding Bhog ceremony.
The lawyers have requested parole for the entire period or permission in phases, depending on the court's decision.
The legal team also raised concerns over an earlier request seeking permission for Amritpal Singh to communicate with his ailing grandmother, either through a physical meeting or video conferencing.
According to the lawyers, an application had been filed when Mata Charan Kaur was undergoing treatment in hospital. They alleged that despite the court directions, the administration did not allow the communication on security and law-and-order grounds.
The lawyers said Mata Charan Kaur had expressed a wish to see her grandson during her final days, but the request could not be fulfilled.
The duty magistrate is expected to issue notices to the government and the concerned administration, seeking their response to the parole application. The court will consider the government's report before deciding on the request.
Meanwhile, the family has indicated that the funeral schedule will be finalised after the court proceedings and the government's response. The family is hoping that Amritpal Singh and the other two jailed relatives will be allowed to attend the final rites.
The court's decision on the parole plea is now awaited.
