Radical preacher and Waris Punjab De (WPD) chief Amritpal Singh, currently incarcerated at Dibrugarh jail in Assam, has petitioned the Punjab and Haryana High Court for temporary release to file his nomination for the Sri Khadoor Sahib constituency in the Lok Sabha elections.
Scheduled for hearing before Justice Vinod S Bhardwaj's bench on Friday, Singh's plea cites the May 14 deadline for nomination submissions.
In his petition, he calls upon the Punjab government, the Election Commission of India, the Superintendent of Dibrugarh Central Jail, and the Punjab State Election Commission to facilitate his nomination filing process and appointment of election agents.
Singh's counsel, Imaan Singh Khara, highlights the efforts made by Singh's father, including letters written to the Chief Electoral Officer of Punjab on May 2, 2024, and to the Amritsar District Magistrate on May 3, seeking necessary instructions and directions for Singh's nomination process.
Additionally, on May 6, Singh wrote to the Chief Election Commissioner and the Punjab CEO, requesting assistance in completing his nomination and other formalities.
The Election Commission of India responded on May 7 by providing guidelines to the CEO, urging necessary action.
The petition reveals that the Punjab CEO subsequently directed the Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Election Officer of Tarn Taran to take requisite measures.
Singh's plea highlights the urgency of his nomination filing process and seeks the High Court's intervention to ensure his participation in the electoral process.
The matter assumes significance as Singh aims to contest from the Sri Khadoor Sahib constituency, signalling his intent to engage in democratic processes despite his current confinement.
The outcome of Friday's hearing could determine Singh's ability to fulfil his electoral aspirations within the stipulated timeline, pending the court's decision on his plea for temporary release.
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