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Amritsar: The Amritsar (Rural) Police have reached Dibrugarh to formally arrest Khadoor Sahib MP Amritpal Singh in connection with the Ajnala police station attack case of February 2023, marking a crucial step as his detention under the National Security Act (NSA) is set to end.
Arrest planned after NSA expiry.
Amritpal Singh, who has been lodged in Dibrugarh Central Jail since April 23, 2023, is likely to be formally arrested on April 23, immediately after the expiry of his NSA detention.
The move ensures continuity of custody, with the Punjab Police seeking to proceed against him in the pending criminal case linked to the Ajnala incident.
High Court clears arrest, allows virtual trial.
Earlier, the Punjab and Haryana High Court permitted the Punjab government to:
- Arrest Amritpal Singh in the Ajnala case after NSA detention ends
- Continue to keep him lodged in Assam, citing security and law & order concerns
- Conduct trial proceedings through video-conferencing
As per the court’s order, Amritpal will be produced virtually before the Amritsar court, including for police and judicial remand.
Background: Ajnala police station incident
The FIR in the case was registered on February 24, 2023, following a violent confrontation at the Ajnala police station, where supporters of Amritpal Singh allegedly stormed the premises, demanding the release of an associate.
Several of his close aides—including Papalpreet Singh and others—were earlier detained under the NSA and subsequently shifted to Punjab, where they are currently facing trial.
State’s stand: Security concerns
The Punjab government had argued before the High Court that:
- Bringing Amritpal to Punjab could trigger law and order issues
- His continued stay in Assam ensures better control and security
- Virtual proceedings would allow the trial to continue without disruption
The court accepted this reasoning, enabling an unusual but legally sanctioned remote trial process.
What happens next
With the NSA detention ending, Amritpal Singh’s case now transitions from preventive detention to regular criminal prosecution. His arrest in the Ajnala case will formally bring him into the judicial process, with proceedings expected to continue in Amritsar courts via digital mode. The development is significant, as it balances security concerns with due process, while keeping a politically sensitive case on track within the legal framework.
