MP-Elect Amritpal Singh’s NSA Detention Extended by One Year

On 18 Jun, the Panjab govt. extended the detention of newly-elected Member of Parliament (MP) from Khadoor Sahib and chief of Waris Panjab De, Amritpal Singh and nine others under the National Security Act (NSA) at Dibrugarh Central Jail in Assam by another year until 22 Apr 2025. Singh and three associates’ detention was set to expire on 24 Jul, while for six other associates, it was to end on 18 Jun. SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal condemned the extension of Amritpal Singh’s detention, stating on X: ‘I and my party strongly oppose the extension of the NSA against Bhai Amritpal Singh, as this is a violation of the Constitution and of human rights. This decision of Bhagwant Mann (Chief Minister of Punjab) has fully exposed his anti-Sikh and anti-Punjab face and shown how he dances to Delhi’s tunes. Our differences of ideology with Bhai Amritpal Singh apart, we will oppose repression and injustice against him or against anyone else, and we don’t care what political cost we have to pay for this. These are the principles which the Great Guru Sahiban has taught us.’ Advocate RS Bains has pointed out that though the order was issued 18 Jun, it was signed on 3 Jun and does not even acknowledge that the person is now an elected candidate. The law the NSA implemented in 1980 provides for no more than a twelve-month detention. However, it was amended in May 1984 for Panjab, allowing a twenty-four month detention. As the elected MPs take oath to Parliament on 24-25 Jun, the Supreme Court has asked when another elected member from Baramulla, Sheikh Abdul Rashid, alias Engineer Rashid, jailed under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, can take his oath (SDW Vol 2 Issue 24, Story 5).