Amritpal Singh Arrested: Absconding radical preacher and Khalistan sympathiser Amritpal Singh has been finally nabbed by the Punjab police in the state’s Moga district on Sunday. He was arrested from a Gurudwara in Moga ending the 36-day long manhunt that began on March 18gAs per the latest information, he is likely to be taken to Assam’s Dibrugarh for further proceedings. The downfall of the separatist leader began after the Ajnala incident when his supporters stormed the police station in Amritsar seeking the release of his aide and another Khalistan sympathiser, Lovepreet Toofan. 


Several criminal cases have been filed and registered against Amritpal Singh and some of them include serious charges like kidnapping and holding a person hostage. Here are the details about the cases against him. 


Cases Against Amritpal Singh 


House Arrest After Murder Of Sudhir Suri – Nov, 2022


Amritpal Singh was put under house arrest last year in November after the broad daylight murder of Shiv Sena (Taksali) leader Sudhir Suri outside a temple in Amritsar, Punjab. Suri’s family had alleged that Singh had threatened Suri many times. The police put him under house arrest to maintain law and order situation. Many had alleged that Amritpal had planned the murder of Suri, as the vehicle of the prime accused had a Waris Punjab De sticker. 


 Kidnapping, Assault Charges – Feb 16 


 A man had filed a complaint against Amritpal Singh on the basis of which a case was registered on February 16 this year. The man alleged that he was kidnapped and threatened by the radical leader and his supporters and was beaten by them. He said Singh knew the details of his family members and threatened to kill him if he posted anything against their group on social media. 


The charges include kidnapping, assault, and criminal intimidation against the Waris Punjab De chief.  


Ajnala Police Station – Feb 24 


On February 24, a case was filed against Amritpal Singh and his supporters for storming the Ajnala Police station in Amritsar. The crowd was seen brandishing swords and weapons inside the police station. They clashed with police personnel for the release of one of their fellow preachers, Lovepreet Toofan. 


Case For Breaking Police Barricades – March 18 


Another case was registered against Amritpal Singh and his four associates in Punjab’s Jalandhar for breaking through police barricades. Singh was moving from Jalandhar to Moga when he got to know about the large presence of police at the entry point of the Moga district. He then returned to Mehatpur area where police vehicles also started chasing him. As per police, Amritpal’s vehicle hit several other vehicles, including one of the police. He then managed to escape. 


The FIR was registered at Mehatpur police station under Section 279 (rash or negligent driving), and 188 (disobedience to the order of public servant) of IPC. 


Case Under Arms Act — March 19 


During the crackdown against him, police had recovered arms from the persons, associated with Waris Punjab De. Consequently, a case was registered against Amritpal and others under Arms Act. 


According to official sources, he has been maintaining close links with Pakistani intelligence agency ISI and some terrorist groups based abroad, news agency PTI reported. The Khalistani leader is believed to be close to UK-based Khalistani terrorist Avtar Singh Khanda and he is believed to be a key factor behind his rise to prominence. He was allegedly building a "private militia" of youth from drug-deaddiction centres, to be used for violent protests.  


Held Family Hostage While On Run — March 20 


 Sarpanch Manpreet Singh of Udhowal village had filed a complaint against Amritpal Singh alleging that Singh, his uncle and his driver entered his house forcibly and held the family hostage. The sarpanch alleged that Amritpal, his uncle Harjit Singh and driver Harpreet Singh did so at gunpoint for 35 hours and threatened them with dire consequences on March 18. 


A case was registered against the trio under Sections 449, 342, 506, 34 IPC, and Sections 25 and 27 of the Arms Act. 


 Extortion – March 21 


On the basis of the statement of the priest of a gurdwara at village Nangal Ambia Khurd, a case was registered against Amritpal Singh at Shahkot police station under the charges of extortion. He was accused of putting a person in fear of death, criminal intimidation and others. This happened while he was on the run and changed his attire from traditional Nihang Singh Bana (long shirt) by borrowing the clothes of the priest’s son at gunpoint. He also changed his traditional turban to a normal one. 


The FIR against Amritpal and four unknown persons was registered under Section 386 (Extortion by putting a person in fear), 506 (Criminal Intimidation), 148 (Rioting and armed), 149 (unlawful assembly) of IPC, and Sections 25 and 27 of Arms Act.