Gauhati HC’s intervention sought to serve notice on Amritpal over poll plea

Nearly eight months after a petition was filed challenging the election of Amritpal Singh as Member of Parliament (MP) from Khadoor Sahib, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has asked Gauhati High Court’s Registrar-General to facilitate the service of notice upon him. Amritpal is currently lodged in Dibrugarh Central Jail.

The petition, filed by Vikramjit Singh, was first listed before the HC on August 31 last year. On September 13, 2024, Justice Anil Kshetarpal took note of an objection raised by the “office” regarding maintainability of the election petition on the ground that it was barred by limitation. The Bench also took note of the contentions raised by the petitioner’s counsel that the date of result declaration was required to be excluded.

Justice Kshetarpal then issued notice of motion for October 25, 2024, “while keeping all objections open”. The court then took note of the fact that notice of the petition remained “un-served”.

In November last year, the court ordered that “the office would issue notice through the Superintendent, Central Jail, Dibrugarh, with direction to ensure service before the next date of hearing”.

Justice Kshetarpal on January 17 observed the “notice issued to respondent has not been received”. As the matter came up for resumed hearing, Justice Kshetarpal observed repeated efforts to serve the respondent through the jail superintendent, as per the office report, have not been successful.

“Keeping in view the facts, the Registrar-General, Gauhati High Court, is requested to facilitate the service of notice upon the respondent, who is lodged in Central Jail, Dibrugarh,” the court added.

The petition, filed by Vikramjit Singh of Mohali district, has contested the legality of Amritpal’s election on several grounds. Among other things, the petitioner alleged that Amritpal concealed critical details in the affidavit submitted with his nomination papers. The petitioner also alleged that Amritpal did not adequately disclose sources of funds and donations for his poll campaign.