'Have Not Been Able To Arrest Amritpal Despite Best Efforts; LOC Opened Against Him By MHA': Punjab Police Informs High Court

The Punjab Police today informed the Punjab And Haryana High Court that it has not been able to arrest/detain alleged Khalistani sympathizer Amritpal Singh despite best efforts, however, a Look Out Circular (LOC) has been opened by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) against him on State Police's request.

In an affidavit filed through the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Border Range, it has been further informed to the High Court's bench of Justice NS Shekhawat that a hue and cry notice has been issued by the Senior Superintendent of Police, Amritsar to all Commissioners of Police and Senior Superintendent of Police across the country.

#JustIn | Punjab Police (@PunjabPoliceInd) informs #PunjabAndHaryanaHighCourt that it has not been able to arrest/detain #Amritpalsingh despite best efforts, however, Look Out Circular has been opened by the Ministry of Home Affairs against him.#Amritpal_Singh #Amritpal pic.twitter.com/MOcKiYDKU3

— Live Law (@LiveLawIndia) March 29, 2023

The affidavit has been submitted pursuant to High Court notice to the Punjab Police on a habeas corpus plea moved before it seeking the production/release of alleged separatist leader and chief of 'Waris Punjab De' organization, Amritpal Singh.

The plea has been moved by one Imaan Singh Khara, legal advisor of 'Waris Punjab De', claiming that Singh had been illegally and forcibly detained by the Punjab Police without the authority of law.

However, the Punjab government has been denying the allegations that it has detained Singh. 

For the uninitiated, Amritpal Singh is stated to be a self-styled radical Sikh preacher and Khalistan sympathizer. The state police initiated a massive manhunt backed by a comprehensive plan to take immediate action against him last month after his supporters stormed a police station near Amritsar on February 23 to free one of his associates from custody.

The state police claimed that it chased Singh’s Mercedes vehicle for about 25 km in Jalandhar district’s Malsian on March 18, however, he managed to flee.

Appearances

Advocate J.S. Warring, for the petitioner.

Advocate General, Vinod Ghai, Punjab assisted by Additional AG, Punjab, Aman Pal, for the respondents.

Tanu Bedi, Advocate as Amicus Curiae.

Case title - Imaan Singh Khara Vs State of Punjab and others [CRWP-2757-2023]