Citing intelligence inputs, Punjab defends Amritpal Singh’s detention

Chandigarh, August 29

The state police have told the Punjab and Haryana High Court that MP Amritpal Singh’s “fresh detention” was entirely “on fresh grounds” and is “strictly in accordance with the law”.

In an affidavit submitted to the HC, IPS officer and Amritsar (Rural) Superintendent of Police Charanjit Singh said the decision to detain the petitioner in Dibrugarh, Assam, was taken “on the basis of the sensitivity of the case”.

It was also denied in the affidavit that the petitioner was punished for being vocal. “In fact, there is material on record that proves that the petitioner has been deeply involved in activities prejudicial to the security of the state and public order,” the IPS officer said.

The affidavit said it was also important to bring to the court’s notice that intelligence inputs showing anti-state activities and the petitioner’s involvement with foreign agencies was in itself a threat to the state’s security and public order. The intelligence inputs showing the active role of petitioner Amritpal Singh and his associates were confidential/secret in nature and important to be considered.

Confined in Dibrugarh Central Jail, Amritpal Singh was seeking directions for quashing, among other things, “entire proceedings initiated against him under the National Security Act”.

In his petition placed before the Division Bench of Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Anil Kshetarpal, Amritpal Singh said his detention under the NSA was illegal. “His right to life and liberty has been taken away in “an unusual and cruel manner,” he claimed.