No extension of NSA against Amritpal’s aides; 7 petitions withdrawn after Punjab's move

The Punjab government has decided not to extend the National Security Act (NSA) against the aides of radical Sikh leader Amritpal Singh. Following this decision, seven petitions filed by Amritpal’s associates challenging their detention under NSA have been withdrawn. Senior advocate Anupam Gupta, representing the Punjab government, confirmed that the petitions were disposed of after the petitioners' lawyers made a statement in court.

Petitions withdrawn after NSA not extended

Seven associates of Amritpal Singh had filed petitions challenging their detention under NSA. The petitioners included Kulwant Singh Rauke, Gurmeet Singh Bukkanwala, Papalpreet Singh, Basant Singh, and Bhagwant Singh (also known as Bajeke). The Punjab government’s decision not to extend NSA in these cases led to the withdrawal of these petitions.

Senior advocate Anupam Gupta, appointed by the Punjab government to defend its action, stated that the NSA orders in these cases are set to expire between April 17 and April 19, 2025. Since the government chose not to renew the NSA, the petitioners will be released once their detention period ends. Gupta clarified that the NSA has not been officially withdrawn but will naturally expire upon completion of the detention period.

The petitions had challenged both the 2023 and 2024 NSA orders. After the government’s decision, the High Court disposed of these cases as the lawyers representing the petitioners informed the court that their clients would be released upon the expiry of the NSA orders.

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Amritpal Singh's case and future hearings

Amritpal Singh, the leader of the radical Sikh group “Waris Punjab De,” has been in Assam’s Dibrugarh jail since April 2023, along with nine other members of his group. He was arrested on April 23, 2023, from a village in Moga after a month-long chase that started on March 18, 2023, following a major crackdown by the Punjab government and central agencies.

Amritpal Singh’s NSA detention is set to expire on April 22, 2025. The hearing for his case, along with the cases of Sarabjeet Singh Kalsi and Gur Aujla, is scheduled for March 23, 2025. In April 2024, the Punjab government had re-imposed the NSA on Amritpal Singh and his associates.

Despite being in detention, Amritpal Singh was elected as a Member of Parliament (MP) from the Khadoor Sahib Lok Sabha seat in the June 2024 parliamentary elections. His detention under NSA has drawn significant political and public attention.

Gupta stated that the government remains firm in its position regarding the legality of the detentions. However, since the NSA period is ending soon, the detainees will be released as per the law. The decision marks a shift in the Punjab government’s approach to handling the cases related to Amritpal Singh and his supporters.

The resolution of these cases reflects the government’s changing stance on the enforcement of stringent security laws. While Amritpal and his key associates remain in custody, the decision not to extend the NSA signals a possible shift towards more balanced legal measures.