Team News Riveting
Chandigarh, March 19
The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Sunday served notice to the State of Punjab and its functionaries on a habeas corpus petition seeking “release” of Waris Punjab De’ chief Amritpal Singh.
The petition urged the High Court for issuance of directions to the Jalandhar commissioner of police and other officials to produce alleged detainee Amritpal Singh “in the interest of justice”. Justice N.S. Shekhawat of the High Court also fixed the case for further hearing on Tuesday.
The petitioner, Imaan Singh Khara alleged that ‘Waris Punjab De’ chief Amritpal Singh had been illegally and forcibly detained by the commissioner and other official respondents without any authority of law. Directions were also sought for the appointment of a warrant officer to visit the “spot”.
“If the detainee is found in illegal custody of the respondents, he be set at liberty forthwith,” the petitioner, who told the Bench that he was the legal adviser of organisation ‘Waris Punjab De’ and alleged detainee Amritpal Singh, said.
The petitioner through counsel Judgepreet Singh Warring added the officials, along with the Central Para Military Forces, detained Amritpal Singh from Shahkot area of Jalandhar district illegally and forcibly without disclosing any reason on March 18.
“Even as per the mandate of law, the respondents are required to disclose the reasons to the detainee prior to illegal arrest/taking over illegal custody. Moreover, the respondents are intentionally not disclosing anything to the family of the detainee, despite the fact that more than 24 hours have lapsed since then. So, in these circumstances there is strong enough apprehension danger to the life of the Amritpal Singh,” he added.
Meanwhile, police claimed that Amritpal Singh was still on run and declared him fugitive. A massive hunt has been launched to nab the Khalistan sympathiser and radical preacher.
In the wake of crackdown on Amritpal Singh and his followers in Punjab, the UT Administration has imposed Section 144 of CrPc. Carrying any kind of weapons within the UT has been prohibited.
Internet services have been suspended till Monday noon.
