Amritpal Singh Granted 3-Hour Parole for Grandmother's Funeral, But Arrival Remains Uncertain

Khadoor Sahib Member of Parliament Amritpal Singh is set to step out of jail after three and a half years. An Amritsar court granted him custody parole today (November 14) from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM to attend the last rites of his late grandmother. As per the court’s directives, he is required to return to prison immediately after the cremation and will join the subsequent Bhog ceremony via video conferencing.

However, intense suspense continues to loom over his actual arrival in Amritsar today.

Two Major Reasons Behind the Uncertainty

Firstly, the family has filed a fresh petition in the court requesting the parole dates be shifted from November 14 to November 17, citing the logistical impossibility of organizing the cremation at such short notice.

Secondly, while the court has mandated that Amritpal Singh must bear his own travel expenses, it remains undecided how he will be transported from Dibrugarh Jail in Assam to Amritsar—whether via a commercial flight or a special helicopter. The jail administration has not yet provided the family with an estimated cost for the travel and security arrangements.

Meanwhile, Amritpal's party, Akali Dal Waris Punjab De, released a statement on social media confirming that the MP will not be arriving in Amritsar today. The party has officially appealed to its supporters to refrain from gathering in the city.

Statements from Amritpal’s Legal Counsel

Advocate Harjot Singh Mann, representing Amritpal Singh, provided crucial updates regarding the legal proceedings:

• Pending 15-Day Parole Plea: Advocate Mann clarified that the defense had originally filed a petition for a 15-day parole. That plea is still pending, and no verdict has been delivered on it yet.

• Court's Decision on Family's Request: The family had filed a separate plea citing the grandmother's demise, seeking a 3-day parole to cover all rituals from the cremation to the Bhog ceremony. However, the court only approved a brief one-day (3-hour) custody parole.

• Push for Extension: The legal team plans to approach the Duty Magistrate today to request an extension. The goal is to secure at least two days so Amritpal can spend time with his family and properly participate in the final rites.

• Grandmother's Last Wish: Mann emphasized that it was the dying wish of Amritpal's grandmother, Charan Kaur, that her grandson light her funeral pyre. Participating in the final Ardas is also a highly significant tradition in the Sikh faith.

• Logistics and Expenses: The mode of transport lies entirely in the hands of the jail administration and related authorities. While no official travel plan (flight or helicopter) or estimated cost has been communicated yet, the family is prepared to pay whatever expenses the government incurs.

Background of the Case

Amritpal Singh’s grandmother, Charan Kaur, passed away on November 8. Honoring her final wish for her grandson to perform the last rites, the family delayed the cremation and approached the court. They argued that attending the funeral is a fundamental familial and human right.

Previously, when his grandmother was severely ill, the family had requested permission for a video call. Although the court granted a 10-minute video call, Amritpal’s lawyers later alleged that the administration failed to make timely arrangements for the conversation.