Punjab govt yet to decide on Amritpal Singh’s Parliament attendance

February 2, 2026

The Punjab government has not yet issued a formal order on whether Khadoor Sahib MP Amritpal Singh will be permitted to attend the Budget Session of Parliament, the Punjab and Haryana High Court were informed during a hearing on Monday. Officials told the court that no decision has been taken yet on his application, which seeks temporary release from detention to participate in Parliament proceedings.

Background: Amritpal Singh’s Detention

Amritpal Singh, a Member of Parliament from Punjab’s Khadoor Sahib constituency, has been under preventive detention since March 23, 2023, under the National Security Act (NSA). His detention has been extended multiple times, leading to ongoing legal challenges over his continued incarceration.

Petition to High Court

Singh filed a petition in the high court challenging the lack of response to his request for temporary release or parole so that he can attend the Budget Session of Parliament, which is being held in two phases from January 28 to February 13 and March 9 to April 2.

Court Orders Government to Decide

On January 23, the High Court directed the Punjab government to decide on Amritpal’s representation within seven working days and to communicate its decision to him and his lawyers “forthwith.” The bench highlighted that the authority to grant temporary release under Section 15 of the NSA rests with the state government, and this order followed arguments on Amritpal’s constitutional rights as an elected representative.

Constitutional Angle and Representation

In his plea, Amritpal argued that his absence from Parliament undermines his constitutional role as an MP and leaves his nearly 19 lakh constituents without proper representation. He invoked procedural rights under the NSA and cited concerns related to parliamentary attendance rules.

State Government’s Position

The Punjab government, while yet to formally decide on the representation, has in earlier proceedings cited state security concerns and public order implications tied to Singh’s detention. In related hearings, officials have argued that preventive detention is based on concerns over his past activities and the risk posed to the state.

Legal and Political Implications

The question of whether a detained MP can attend Parliament or be granted temporary release touches on broader constitutional and legal debates about personal liberty, national security, and democratic representation. Previous court orders have stressed the need for a formal decision by the competent authority.

What Happens Next

The high court order obligating the Punjab government to decide remains in effect, and Singh’s legal team awaits a formal communication on the outcome of the representation. The issue is likely to influence ongoing debates over detention laws and parliamentary rights.