High Court Seeks Punjab Govt's Response On NSA Detainee MP Amritpal Singh's Plea To Attend Ongoing Parliament Budget Session

The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Wednesday sought response from the Punjab government on a plea moved by Khadoor Sahib MP Amritpal Singh, currently detained under stringent National Security Act, seeking temporary release to attend the ongoing budget session in Parliament.

Amritpal is presently lodged in Dibrugarh Central Jail.

The Budget Session of Parliament is to be convened in two phases ie. from 28th January, 2026 to 13th February, 2026 and thereafter, from 9th March, 2026 to 2nd April, 2026. Singh seeks suitable arrangements for his personal attendance at the Parliament for the above mentioned period.

Singh sought quashing of the Punjab Government's order rejecting his request for temporary release or parole to attend the ongoing Budget session of Parliament.

Division bench of Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Sanjiv Berry has sought the government's response within 10 days.

Singh contended that the State dismissed his representation through an “illegal, vague, unreasonable and cryptic order”. He submitted that he wished to represent the people of his constituency before Parliament and highlight issues faced by them “in true spirit of democracy and in consonance with the Constitution of India”.

Responding to Court's query that whether Singh can attend the session virtually, ASG Satya Pal Jain appearing for Union Government submitted that there was no provision in the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha permitting a member to appear or participate through virtual mode.

While disposing of Singh's earlier plea, the Court had held that the power to grant temporary release under Section 15 of the NSA vested in the “appropriate Government”, in this case, the State government.

The Court had directed the Punjab Home Secretary to take a decision on his January 17 representation and communicate the outcome forthwith. Citing a “serious threat/prejudice to the security of the State and the maintenance of Public Order," the State Government had rejected to grant temporary release.

Title: Amritpal Singh v. Union of India & Others