NEW DELHI: On Friday, the Supreme Court dismissed a plea challenging the election of jailed radical Sikh preacher Amritpal Singh as the Member of Parliament for Punjab's Khadoor Sahib constituency.
The petitioner argued before Justices B.R. Gavai and K.V. Viswanathan that, according to Article 84 of the Constitution, which sets out qualifications for parliamentary membership, a candidate must be a citizen of India. The petitioner contended that Amritpal Singh had expressed views indicating he did not owe allegiance to the Constitution.
The bench advised the petitioner to file an election petition, noting that such matters are governed by specific legal procedures and the Representation of the People Act. The petitioner, who was not a voter in the Khadoor Sahib constituency but felt "deeply hurt" by Singh's statements, was informed that the issue required evidence and proper legal channels.
The bench concluded, "Thank you. Dismissed," and declined to entertain the plea.
On July 5, Singh, who is the head of the 'Waris Punjab De' organization, was granted parole to take his oath as a Lok Sabha member. Singh, 31, won the election from Khadoor Sahib while incarcerated in Dibrugarh district, Assam, under the National Security Act for alleged offenses.