Khadoor Sahib MP Amritpal Singh has moved the Punjab and Haryana High Court, seeking directions to the Centre, Punjab Government and other respondents to allow him to attend parliamentary proceedings.
In his petition, the MP contended that his attendance was required in compliance with summons issued by the Secretary-General of the Lok Sabha and asserted that his absence violated his constitutional rights.
The head of “Waris Punjab De”, Amritpal Singh is currently lodged in Dibrugarh Central Jail under provisions of the National Security Act. The petitioner alleged he was being deliberately prevented from attending Parliament with the malicious intent of leaving his constituency unrepresented and eventually having his seat declared vacant. Elaborating, he submitted that his absence beyond 60 days would result in the seat being declared vacant, affecting not just him but nearly 19 lakh constituents of his parliamentary seat.
Seeks approval to meet ministers over MPLADS
He also sought directions for authorities to permit him to meet officials and ministers regarding the implementation of the Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS), which allows MPs to recommend development projects based on locally identified needs.
According to the petition, Amritpal had formally requested the Lok Sabha Speaker on November 30 last year to allow him to attend the parliamentary session. The petition further stated that he had already been informed about his absence from parliamentary sittings for 46 days. He had made representations to the Deputy Commissioner/District Magistrate seeking permission to attend the sessions, but no response had been received.
The Khadoor Sahib MP contended that his absence was not voluntary but a consequence of state action, making it a case of forced exclusion. He argued that such exclusion amounted to contempt of Parliament, as it obstructed a duly elected representative from performing his legislative duties. The high court is expected to take up the matter soon.