Fugitive pro-Khalistan leader Amritpal Singh has been arrested by the Punjab Police in Shahkot, said Waris De Punjab's legal advisor Imaan Singh Khara. However, the police denied the claim and said that they were still making efforts to apprehend Amritpal Singh, reported news agency ANI. Imaan Singh Khara also alleged that the police wanted to kill Singh in a "fake encounter".
Khara filed a writ petition with the Punjab and Haryana High Court, citing Article 21 of the Indian Constitution, which guarantees the Right to Life. He claimed that the police cannot beat up anyone without following the proper court procedures. "Today I filed a criminal writ petition (Imaan Singh Khara vs State of Punjab) in the Punjab and Haryana High Court. This is a Habeas Corpus writ petition," he was quoted as saying by ANI.
Khara asserted that there is a threat to Amritpal Singh's life and that he is being held at Shahkot Police Station, but the police have not produced him before a magistrate within the stipulated 24-hour period. Police have a malicious intention," Khara said.
The Punjab Police, on the other hand, maintained that Singh is still on the run, and they are conducting operations against the elements of Waris Punjab De and individuals who are trying to disrupt peace and harmony in the state. The police made 34 more arrests on Sunday, bringing the total to 112 individuals.
Advocate Khara alleged that the police have a malicious intention and that they could kill Singh in a fake encounter or trap him in fabricated cases by utilizing time. He also claims that the Punjab and Haryana High Court have directed the Punjab police to provide a missive in Amritpal Singh's case.
Justice NS Shekhawat heard the writ petition in the Punjab and Haryana court, and after over an hour of debate, the judge issued a notice to the Punjab government and directed the Punjab Police to provide the missive in Amritpal Singh's case.
Earlier, Amritpal Singh’s father Tarsem Singh also claimed that the 'Waris Punjab De' chief had been arrested by the Punjab Police and that the cops were "lying" about him being absconding.
"We are sure that he has been arrested. We want the police to present him before the court to be able to take legal recourse," he remarked when asked if he would ask his son to surrender.
Tarsem Singh defended his son saying that Amritpal did not make a violent call as he has been terming his "constitutional rights". He termed the Punjab Police action as unjustified.