Pro-Khalistan leader Amritpal seeks temporary release to file poll nominations
Jailed radical Sikh preacher Amritpal Singh has moved the Punjab and Haryana High Court seeking temporary release for seven days to file his nomination for Lok Sabha elections from Punjab's Sri Khadoor Sahib constituency. The matter will come up for hearing on Friday before the bench of Justice Vinod S Bharadwaj. Singh—the chief of "Waris Punjab De," a pro-Khalistan outfit—is lodged in Dibrugarh Central Jail, Assam, under the National Security Act.
Singh requests 7-day release for nomination submission
Singh's petition requests a seven-day release period to submit his nomination as an independent candidate before the May 14 deadline. Sri Khadoor Sahib will go to polls on June 1. He has also sought assistance from jail authorities in completing necessary paperwork, including getting his photograph taken and opening a new bank account. Amritpal—through his counsel Imaan Singh Khara—has mentioned in the petition that on May 2 a letter was written by his father to Chief Electoral Officer, Punjab.
Singh's correspondence with poll authorities
The letter sought information on necessary instruction and guidelines, required to be followed by him to file his nomination to contest election. Subsequently on May 3, another letter was written by his father to Amritsar District Magistrate to provide necessary direction to Superintendent of Dibrugarh Central Jail, to administer oath to the petitioner and send a certified copy to the Returning Officer.
'ECI sent all necessary guidelines on May 7'
Further, the petition states that on May 6, another letter was written by Amritpal to Chief Election Commissioner, Election Commission of India and to Punjab CEO to provide necessary means in order to facilitate the petitioner to file his nomination and complete other formalities. "On May 7, the ECI sent all necessary guidelines required in the case of petitioner to CEO and asked him to take necessary action as per the said guidelines," it states.
Singh arrested on April 23, 2023
To recall, Singh was arrested on April 23, 2023 from a gurudrawa in Rode, native village of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, the 14th head of Damdami Taksal and militant separatist who was killed in Operation Blue Star. The Punjab Police launched a crackdown following the Ajnala incident on February 23, 2023. During the incident, Singh and his friends, some of whom had swords and guns, broke through barriers and went into a police station outside of Amritsar city.
9 of Singh's associates lodged in Dibrugarh jail
They clashed with law enforcement officers in an effort to secure the release of Lovepreet Singh Toofan, one of their associates. Singh and his companions faced multiple criminal charges, including inciting disharmony among communities, attempted murder, assaults on police personnel, and obstructing the lawful duties of public servants. Nine of his associates are also lodged in Dibrugarh jail.
