Daijiworld Media Network – Chandigarh
Chandigarh, Apr 23: Punjab Police on Thursday arrested MP Amritpal Singh in connection with the 2023 Ajnala police station attack case following the expiry of his detention under the National Security Act (NSA).
Amritpal, who has been lodged in Dibrugarh Central Jail in Assam since April 23, 2023, was produced before the Ajnala sub-divisional court through video conferencing from Dibrugarh after his arrest.
The court granted two days of police custody, during which he will continue to remain lodged in the Assam jail.
According to officials, the arrest follows the end of his preventive detention under the NSA and marks the beginning of trial proceedings against him in the Ajnala violence case, where he is a prime accused.
The Punjab government had earlier moved the high court seeking permission to arrest Amritpal in the case while allowing him to remain in Dibrugarh, citing security and law and order concerns if he were brought to Amritsar for trial.
The government had also sought that proceedings be conducted through video conferencing.
An FIR in the Ajnala police station attack case was registered on February 24, 2023, and charges have been framed against 41 persons, including Amritpal.
The case relates to violence outside the Ajnala police station in Amritsar district, where supporters of Amritpal had allegedly stormed the premises demanding the release of an associate.
Rebel Shiromani Akali Dal MLA Manpreet Singh Ayali criticised the arrest, alleging democratic institutions were being undermined.
“A mockery of the democratic set-up and institutions of our country is being made, where an elected representative has been denied the opportunity of a free and fair trial,” he said.
Counsel appearing for Amritpal, Harpal Singh Khara and Rituraj Singh, argued before the court that the matter was already under trial and questioned the basis of the arrest, contending certain evidence cited by police had not figured during the earlier course of investigation.
Police, however, maintained further proceedings in the case would now continue in accordance with law.