Khalistan supporter and Member of Parliament (MP) Amritpal Singh, currently lodged in Assam’s Dibrugarh Jail, may be transferred to Punjab in April. His detention under the National Security Act (NSA) is set to expire on April 22, and as of now, the Punjab government has not issued any orders for its extension.
This development was hinted at by Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Gurwinder Singh during a conversation with the media. Amritpal’s close aide, Papalpreet Singh, could also be shifted back to Punjab after April 10. Meanwhile, in the past four days, another associate, Amanpreet, was arrested from Kotkapura and presented in the Ajnala court.
Amanpreet, along with seven previously detained associates, was presented before the Ajnala Court in Amritsar, where the police secured an additional three-day remand. During the court proceedings, Punjab police officials revealed that the case initially named 19 individuals and approximately 250 unidentified persons.
The police argued that further remand was necessary as they were still gathering information about the ‘Anandpur Khalsa Fauj,’ an organisation allegedly formed by Amritpal Singh. Authorities believe that Amritpal and his associates played a crucial role in orchestrating anti-national activities under the banner of this group.
Punjab Police is also in the process of transferring another close associate of Amritpal Singh, Virender Singh Fauji, from Dibrugarh to Punjab. He is expected to reach Amritsar late at night, after which he will be presented in court, where the police will seek his remand for further interrogation.
Virender Singh was detained under the NSA, but his detention period has now expired. Following this, a team from Ajnala Police travelled to Assam to bring him back to Punjab. With his transfer, only Amritpal Singh and his aide Papalpreet Singh remain in Dibrugarh Jail.
Before Virender Singh’s return, Punjab police had already brought back seven of Amritpal’s close associates from Dibrugarh Jail. These included Daljeet Singh Kahanuwal, Gurmeet Singh Bhagwana, Varinder Singh, Harpreet Singh, Jaspal Singh, Bhupinder Singh, and Kulwant Singh.
All of them were arrested under NSA in March 2023, following their involvement in activities linked to the ‘Waris Punjab De’ organisation and the attack on the Ajnala police station. After their arrest, they were shifted to Dibrugarh Jail, but in recent months, the Punjab government has been gradually bringing them back for legal proceedings.
According to senior Punjab government officials, no orders have been issued so far to extend the NSA imposed on Amritpal Singh, Papalpreet Singh, and Varinder Vicky. The NSA period of Amritpal Singh officially ended on March 22, 2025, yet no directives have been given for its extension.
This indicates that the Punjab government is preparing for further legal action against him. Sources suggest that the government may bring Amritpal Singh and his two associates to Amritsar and include them in the ongoing investigation of the Ajnala police station attack that took place in 2023.
The case against Amritpal Singh is set for a key hearing in the Punjab and Haryana High Court on March 25. On March 21, Punjab Police presented seven of Amritpal’s associates in Amritsar Court and secured a three-day remand for them. However, a decision regarding Amritpal Singh, Papalpreet Singh, and Varinder Vicky was postponed.
There is a strong possibility that the government will clarify its stand regarding their legal status during the court hearing on March 25 instead of issuing an immediate executive order.
The case against Amritpal Singh stems from the violent attack on Ajnala police station in Amritsar on February 23, 2023. Thousands of supporters of the pro-Khalistan outfit ‘Waris Punjab De’ stormed the police station, demanding the release of Lovepreet Singh Toofan, a close associate of Amritpal.
The supporters, armed with guns and swords, managed to breach police barricades and force their way into the station. Under pressure, the Punjab Police announced the release of Lovepreet Singh, leading to widespread criticism of the administration’s handling of the situation. During the clash, six police personnel were injured.
Now, authorities are planning to arrest Amritpal Singh, Papalpreet Singh, and Varinder Vicky in connection with this case and formally include them in the investigation.
The violent attack was triggered by an incident on February 15, 2023. A man named Varinder Singh, a resident of Chamkaur Sahib, was allegedly abducted by some individuals and later assaulted near Jandiala Guru. Reports suggest that Amritpal Singh was present during this attack.
Following the incident, Varinder Singh filed a complaint, and Punjab Police arrested Lovepreet Singh Toofan in connection with the case. This angered Amritpal Singh, who announced a mass protest at Ajnala police station.
According to then Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Harpal Singh Randhawa, the attackers were armed with swords and firearms. Additionally, they carried a copy of the Guru Granth Sahib, which created a sensitive situation for law enforcement. As a result, police officers hesitated to act forcefully, and the mob managed to break through security barricades.
Current Status of the Case
March 2023: Amritpal Singh and nine of his associates were booked under the NSA and sent to Dibrugarh Jail.
March 2024: Punjab Police started transferring detainees back to Punjab.
March 20, 2025: Seven of Amritpal’s associates were shifted from Dibrugarh Jail to Amritsar.
March 21, 2025: These associates were presented in Ajnala Court, where police secured a three-day remand.
March 25, 2025: A key hearing on Amritpal Singh’s case is scheduled in the High Court.
With the NSA detention period expiring for Amritpal Singh and two of his associates, the Punjab government is now expected to take further action against them. Whether they will be released or face new charges will likely be determined in the coming days.
Comments