CHANDIGARH: The Punjab government on Friday informed the Punjab and Haryana High Court that it has facilitated the radical Sikh preacher Amritpal Singh in filing his nomination papers for the Lok Sabha seat from the Khadoor Sahib parliamentary seat in Punjab.
In its detailed reply, the state government informed the Punjab and Haryana High Court on Friday that two sets of nomination forms and other paperwork were filled out and signed by Amritpal on May 9, and he was allowed to meet his proposer and advocate at Dibrugarh Central Jail at that time.
This information was provided before the High Court by the state in response to a petition filed by Amritpal Singh seeking directions to grant him seven days’ release from jail so that he can file his nomination papers for the Khadoor Sahib Lok Sabha seat. He had also sought directions to facilitate him in getting some photographs taken and opening a bank account for the purpose of filing the nomination paper.
The High Court has also directed the Superintendent of Central Jail Dibrugarh to administer the oath to the detenue (Amritpal) as per the provisions of the law, including the Handbook for Candidate 2023, and issue a Certificate for Receipt of Oath, sending the original form of Oath to the Returning Officer, Khadoor Sahib, Punjab.
It was also stated that the necessary steps had already been taken on May 9, and all relevant documents, signatures, and photographs placed before the Superintendent of Central Jail Dibrugarh stand attested.
With these submissions made by the state, the petition filed by Amritpal was rendered infructuous.
Amritpal, currently lodged in Dibrugarh Jail in Assam, was arrested on April 23 and detained under the National Security Act (NSA) Act, 1980. On March 13 this year, another detention order was passed under the NSA Act by the District Magistrate (DM), Amritsar.
In his plea, Amritpal had submitted that on May 6, a letter written by him to the Chief Election Commissioner (ECI) and to the Chief Electoral Officer Punjab to provide necessary means to facilitate the petitioner to file his nomination and complete other formalities as required by the Election Rules. On May 7, the ECI sent all necessary guidelines required in the case of the petitioner to the Chief Electoral Officer Punjab and asked him to take necessary action as per the said guidelines.
According to Amritpal, the CEO Punjab had then written to the Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Election Officer, Tarn Taran, to take necessary action, after which the DM, Amritsar, had written to the Punjab government to issue necessary instructions as to whether the petitioner is to be provided the means to contest the election.
“Thereafter, on May 8, the Chief Electoral Officer, Punjab, vide letter dated May 8, had written to the Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Election Officer, Tarn Taran, to take necessary action as per instructions and facilitate the petitioner to contest the election. But till date, the State of Punjab and District Magistrate, Amritsar, have deliberately not issued any further instructions in order to delay and ensure that the petitioner is not able to file his nomination to contest the Lok Sabha Election,” Amritpal had submitted in his plea.
In his plea, he had sought directions for his temporary release for seven days as per section 15 of the NSA so that he can file his nomination before the returning officer to contest Lok Sabha polls from Khadoor Sahib, for which the last date of nomination is May 14. Further directions have also been sought to facilitate him in several other activities, including getting his latest photograph taken and opening a new bank account, to ensure he completes all formalities regarding contesting the election.
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