Punjab & Haryana HC Seeks State's Response On Plea By Jailed MP Amritpal Singh's Alleged Aide Gurmeet Bukkanwala Against NSA Detention

The High Court has sought response from the Punjab, Union Government and other authorities on plea filed by Gurmeet Singh Gill @ Gurmeet Singh Bukkanwala, an alleged aide of jailed MP Amritpal Singh, challenging his detention under National Security Act (NSA).

Bukkanwala is currently lodged in Assam's Dibrugarh Central Jail. The bench of Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Anil Kshetarpal has directed the State Government, Union of India, District Magistrate Amritsar, SSP (Rural) Amritsar and Superintendent of Central Jail Dibrugarh to respond.

Counsel appearing for Bukkanwala, Nikhil Ghai submitted that the plea challenges the second detention order passed under NSA by District Magistrate, Amritsar.

In the petition it is submitted that, "vide detention order dated 18.03.2023 which was extended time to time and which came to end on 17.03.2024. The District Magistrate thereafter in order to make sure that the petitioner does not come out from jail and is detained without any trial, passed a fresh order detention on 13.03.2024which was to start from 18.03.2024 as soon as the earlier detention was to expire."

It further states that perusal of grounds of detention served under the second detention order would show that there is no fresh material with the detaining authority and the same has been passed under political pressure.

"On perusal of the grounds of detention would show that the fresh incident which has been made basis for detaining the petitioner afresh of the second time are that the co-detenues of the petitioner were misusing the facility of phones from Dibrugarh Jail and were in contact with bad elements who were instigating people in State of Punjab to raise their voices in favour of the detenue and against State of Puniab," the plea added.

According to the petition, an incident that is mentioned in the grounds of detention is that Bukkanwala was on a hunger strike in the jail premises for the reason that he has been falsely detained in Dibrgarh Jail by wrongly invoking NSA against him.

The matter is deferred for September 18, for further consideration.

It is pertinent to note that plea filed by Amritpal Singh challenging his detention under NSA is also pending consideration before the High Court, to be heard on September 18. The State and Union government has already filed reply in the matter.

Title: Gurmeet Singh Gill @, Gurmeet Singh Bukkanwala v. UOI & Ors.

 Advocates Mr. Imaan Singh Khara, Mr. Nikhil Ghai, for the petitioner.

Mr. Dheeraj Jain, Senior Panel Counsel (UOI), for respondent No. 1.

Mr. A.D.S. Sukhija, Additional Advocate General, Punjab.