Chandigarh: The demand for temporary release of Khadoor Sahib MP Amritpal Singh has triggered a sharp legal confrontation and interesting political angles. Aam Aadmi Party led Punjab government is so firm in opposing the parole that its lawyer told the Punjab and Haryana High Court that even a five minutes speech of detained Khadoor Sahib MP can set ‘Punjab – the land of five rivers’ on fire.
But on the other hand, Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP)’s MP and Union Minister of State Ravneet Bittu has publicly supported allowing the jailed MP Amritpal Singh to attend the ongoing Winter Session of Parliament.
“If Engineer Rashid from Jammu & Kashmir could be granted custody parole to attend sessions despite serious charges, why is the same facility not extended to Amritpal Singh? Who will raise the voice of Khadoor Sahib?” Ravneet Bittu told reporters, accusing the AAP-led Punjab government of deliberately obstructing an elected representative’s right to speak in Parliament.
Court and Government Proceedings So Far:-
Supreme Court Direction:
On 10 November 2025, the Supreme Court of India refused to entertain MP Amritpal Singh’s writ petition seeking release to attend Parliament and directed him to approach the Punjab & Haryana High Court, noting that the High Court may decide the matter preferably within six weeks.
High Court direction to Punjab Govt:
After Amritpal Singh’s lawyers moved the High Court, a division bench on 21 November 2025 directed the Punjab government to decide his pending representation for temporary release within one week.
Punjab government rejects parole:
In compliance with the High Court’s directive, the Punjab Home Department issued an order on 24 November 2025 rejecting Amritpal Singh’s plea for temporary release.
The government cited alleged ‘security concerns” and ‘potential law-and-order implications.
Fresh Petition Before High Court and 2 December Hearing
Following the rejection, MP Amritpal Singh—currently lodged in Dibrugarh Central Jail, Assam under the National Security Act (NSA)—moved the High Court again, challenging the state’s decision.
An urgent hearing took place on 2 December 2025.
Punjab Government’s Stance:
During the hearing, the state of Punjab strongly opposed granting temporary release, arguing that even limited access to Parliament could trigger unrest.
Senior advocate Anupam Gupta, appearing for the state, warned the court:
“Even a single speech by him in Parliament could set the five rivers on fire”.
“If permitted, he would gain a national and international platform, posing a serious danger to the safety and survival of Punjab”, he reportedly added.
The government maintained that allowing Amritpal Singh’s physical presence in Parliament—or any form of participation—would have “grave security implications.”
Arguments by Amritpal Singh’s Counsel
Senior advocate R. S. Bains countered that the government’s fears were exaggerated and unsupported by material.
He argued that discretion to deny parole cannot be absolute.
He offered that Amritpal Singh could be allowed to participate virtually, but the Additional Solicitor General of India Satya Pal Jain clarified there is no provision for virtual participation of MPs in Parliament.
He stressed that severe flooding in hundreds of villages of the constituency required the MP to raise urgent issues in Parliament.
High Court’s direction on 2 December
After hearing both sides, the division bench headed by Chief Justice Sheel Nagu directed the Punjab government to place on record the specific material that formed the basis for denying Amritpal Singh’s request for temporary release.
The matter has been posted for further hearing on 8 December 2025.
The ongoing legal proceedings have taken a political turn with BJP’s Ravneet Bittu supporting parole, even as the Punjab AAP government remains firmly opposed.
