‘You have 80,000 cops…’: Court raps Punjab govt over Amritpal Singh

New Delhi: The Punjab & Haryana High Court on Tuesday pulled up Bhagwant Mann govt over the protracted ‘arrest drama’ of Khalistani sympathizer Amritpal Singh and also asked the Punjab police to submit a status report on their operation against the ‘absconder’.

“You have 80,000 cops, what were they doing? How did Amritpal Singh escape?” the court said rebuking the state government over ‘glaring lapses’ in its operation.

The court’s critical observation comes days after Punjab Police launched mega manhunt on Saturday & formed multiple teams to nab the Khliastani sympathizer and the chief of outfit ‘Waris Punjab De.’

The High Court sought to know answers from the Punjab police as to why they are still searching for Amritpal & yet not successful in arresting him.

The Punjab police informed the court that he was almost nabbed during the chase in Jalandhar on Day 1 but managed to give them a slip and escaped on a motorbike. However, more than 100 of his supporters/followers have been arrested.

The Punjab police also informed the court that National Security Act (NSA) has been invoked against Amritpal Singh.

The court’s observation comes on back of a habeas corpus petition which sought release of Amritpal Singh from ‘illegal custody’ of police. Petitioner Imaan Singh Khara claimed that Amritpal was ‘illegally & forcibly’ detained by the Punjab police.

Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann stated in no uncertain terms that no one will be allowed to put Punjab & nation’s security in peril.

“Anyone trying to disturb peace & harmony in the state will be strictly dealt with. We will not spare any force working against the country,” Bhagwant Mann said.