Canada-bound mother stopped at Delhi airport

Khadoor Sahib MP Amritpal Singh’s mother Balwinder Kaur was on Friday stopped by immigration authorities at the Delhi airport, hours before she was to board a flight to Canada to meet her daughter and newborn grandchild.

Family members said the immigration authorities told Balwinder that she was stopped as a lookout circular had been issued against her by the Amritsar (rural) police. Unaware of the restrictions placed on her travel, Balwinder reached the airport around noon and her flight was scheduled to take off at 3.30 pm.

Meanwhile, her husband Tarsem Singh left earlier in the day for Assam to meet Amritpal at the Dibrugarh jail.

Amritpal’s uncle Harjit Singh said they were unaware of any such lookout circular against Balwinder as no case was registered against her. “Had they known, they wouldn’t have bought the ticket…. Stopping her from travelling abroad is unjustified when no case is registered against her,” said Harjit.

Amritpal’s sister has been living in Canada for several years. Balwinder had a valid visa, due to which she went ahead with her travel plans, said the family.

This is not the first time Amritpal’s family members have been barred from leaving the country. Previously, his wife Kirandeep Kaur and father were stopped at airports due to similar restrictions.

Amritpal has been charged with anti-national activities and alleged involvement in a conspiracy against the state. Despite being incarcerated, he contested the Lok Sabha election from Khadoor Sahib as an Independent and won by a record margin.