Chandigarh: The clock is ticking for Lok Sabha MP Amritpal Singh as his plea for temporary parole to attend the ongoing Winter Session of Parliament faced yet another delay on Monday. Lawyers abstaining from work prevented the hearing from taking place, and the case is now scheduled for Tuesday, leaving only a narrow window of three working days before the session concludes on December 19.
Amritpal Singh, representing the Khadoor Sahib constituency, had approached the Punjab and Haryana High Court seeking temporary release to participate in parliamentary proceedings. The adjournment has intensified uncertainty over whether he will be able to “meaningfully participate” in debates and raise issues concerning his constituency.
The Punjab government has strongly opposed the parole plea, arguing that once an MP enters Parliament, neither the executive nor judiciary can regulate the content of their speech. Senior advocate Anupam Gupta, representing the state, cited Article 105 of the Constitution, emphasizing the absolute freedom of speech enjoyed by MPs within the House and the immunity from court proceedings for anything said or voted on the floor. The state also warned that even a single speech could provoke widespread political repercussions.
Earlier, the Bench had asked Amritpal Singh’s counsel to specify the topics he intended to address in Parliament. His team said the MP planned to speak on flood relief and the plight of over 1,000 affected villages, highlighting the need for representation for those suffering in his constituency.
Senior counsel RS Bains suggested that Amritpal Singh could attend proceedings via videoconferencing. However, Additional Solicitor General Satya Pal Jain, appearing for the Lok Sabha Speaker, opposed the proposal, noting that no such provision exists under parliamentary rules.
The court was also informed that Amritpal Singh’s previous absence from Parliament had been condoned until August 8, and no further requests for condonation had been submitted. As a result, the possibility of his seat being declared vacant was ruled out.
With the hearing now postponed to Tuesday, time is running short for the MP to secure temporary release, raising questions about the practicality of any relief that may be granted given the imminent adjournment of the Winter Session.
