Amritsar (Punjab), April 16 (ANI): In a key development following the revocation of the National Security Act (NSA), Punjab Police has secured custody of Papalpreet Singh, a close aide of Khadoor Sahib MP and ‘Waris Punjab De’ chief Amritpal Singh. The custody will last till April 18.
Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Amritsar, Gurvinder Singh, confirmed, “Papalpreet Singh was produced before the court today, and we have got his custody for three days—that is, till the 18th of April.”
Punjab Police had reached Dibrugarh, Assam on April 9 to bring Papalpreet back after he was held under NSA provisions. He was arrested during a police operation in Hoshiarpur on April 10. The arrest came weeks after supporters of Amritpal Singh stormed the Ajnala police station on February 23, demanding the release of another aide, Lovepreet Toofan.
However, Papalpreet’s family has strongly opposed the legal action. His mother, Mandhir Kaur, stated, “He only tried to stop the use of drugs in Punjab. It is clearly in front of the world. He tried to keep people away from drugs and encouraged them to learn their Gurus’ teachings.” She appealed for his release on bail.
His maternal uncle, Amarjeet Singh Wangchadi, criticized the use of the NSA and the transfer of Papalpreet to Dibrugarh. “I know he did wrong, but sending him 4,000 kms away under NSA was not fair. How many people were charged under the NSA during the 1984 riots or the Vadodara riots?” he questioned.
Amarjeet also claimed Papalpreet is a journalist and was Bhagwant Mann’s personal assistant during elections.
Papalpreet’s advocate, Harpal Singh Khara, claimed the charges against him are unclear. “Even police and state officials are not aware of the exact accusations. They’re alleging a police station attack, but there was no actual damage or theft,” he argued.
He also accused authorities of dragging out the legal process under the guise of investigations. “It’s only drama. They’re scared that the ‘party’ might flourish, and they’re only trying to hold it back,” Khara added.
Further legal proceedings are expected following the end of police custody on April 18.
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