Amritpal’s uncle refuses treatment, sent back to Bathinda jail after brief hospital visit

Harjit Singh, an uncle of jailed Khadoor Sahib MP Amritpal Singh, was taken to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Bathinda, late Saturday evening after his health deteriorated during a hunger strike in Bathinda jail. However, he was discharged within an hour and a half and sent back to the jail after a medical examination, as he refused to undergo treatment.

The 54-year-old had reportedly been on a hunger strike for about a fortnight, demanding a physical mulaqat (face-to-face meeting) with visitors instead of communicating via telephone from behind a glass partition. He has also sought permission to speak with his family in Canada over the phone and to be allowed a mattress to sleep on the floor.

His counsel, Advocate Harpal Singh Khara, today said, “A urine infection was detected during Harjit Singh’s medical examination last night, but since he refused treatment until his demands were addressed, he was sent back to jail. His hunger strike continues.”

Harjit is one of four aides of Amritpal currently lodged at Bathinda Central Jail. The group was shifted there from Dibrugarh Jail in Assam earlier this year following the end of their detention under the National Security Act. The other detainees are Bhagwant Singh alias Pardhanmantri Bajeke, Kulwant Singh and Basant Singh.