Chandigarh, April 9, 2025 (Bharat Khabarnama Bureau): As the detention of ‘Waris Punjab De’ chief and Member Parliament Amritpal Singh under the National Security Act (NSA) approaches its end on April 22, uncertainty surrounds his future — particularly whether he would be transferred back to Punjab from the high-security Dibrugarh Central Jail in Assam where he has been lodged for nearly a year.
His close associate and ideological mentor Papalpreet Singh’s NSA detention expiring on April 10. As per the reports Punjab authorities have geared up for his repatriation back to Punjab and he would likely to face cases already registered against him in different police stations.
A senior police officer stationed in Assam stated, “We have not received any instructions from Punjab Police so far regarding the transfer of Amritpal Singh MP or Papalpreet Singh. The earlier detainees were shifted back to Punjab in accordance with the order of their arrival. However, no directive has come yet for these two.”
Previous transfers and timeline
Amritpal Singh, considered the face of a revived radical Sikh movement by some and a security threat by others, was arrested in April 2023 after a massive state-wide crackdown that followed the Ajnala police station incident. He was the last among 10 members of ‘Waris Punjab De’ to be flown to Dibrugarh under NSA provisions, arriving there on April 23, 2023, while Papalpreet was brought in on April 11, 2023.
Eight other associates — Kulwant Singh Dhaliwal, Harjeet Singh, Gurinderpal Singh Aujla, Gurmeet Singh Bukkanwala, Bhagwant Singh, Daljeet Singh Kalsi, Basant Singh, and Varinder Singh Johal — were shifted back to Punjab in March 2025 after their respective two-year NSA detentions elapsed. They are now facing formal trials in Punjab in connection with multiple cases, including the Ajnala attack.
Political weight of the case
Amritpal Singh’s case is particularly complex due to his rising influence even while in detention. He made headlines globally when he successfully contested the 2024 Lok Sabha elections from Khadoor Sahib while behind bars, leveraging a strong base of support among sections of Punjab’s youth and diaspora. His electoral win and continued popularity have made any decision regarding his release or transfer politically delicate. Besides, he had already formed a political party to contest the ensuing Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) elections and Assembly elections in 2027.
With his NSA term expiring in less than two weeks, legal experts point out that unless a fresh detention order or new criminal charges are brought forward, the state is legally bound to either release or formally shift him back to Punjab. However, given the potential for public mobilization, security concerns and his symbolic status, the Punjab government may be treading cautiously.
What lies ahead ?
According to officials familiar with the case, the Punjab government has two options: seek an extension of NSA detention under fresh grounds — a move that would require legal justification and could be challenged in court — or transfer him to Punjab and proceed with pending investigations or trials.
“For now, Amritpal Singh and Papalpreet Singh will remain in Dibrugarh’s fortified Cell No. 13, under tight surveillance. Any further decision will come from the Punjab government,” the Assam official reiterated.
As the deadlines draw near, all eyes are on the Punjab government — whether it would choose a legal path forward, adopt a political strategy or opt for a low-profile transfer under security cover. The coming days may shape not only the future of Amritpal Singh but also the broader political and security landscape of Punjab.
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