Today, Papalpreet Singh, a close aide of Khalistan supporter Amritpal Singh, was brought before the Ajnala Court in Punjab where he has now been remanded to 14 days in judicial custody. Recently transferred from Assam's Dibrugarh Jail to Punjab, Papalpreet was under police remand for three days. With the remand concluding today, Friday, law enforcement presented him before the court. As of now, he will be housed in Amritsar Jail.
Back in 2023, law enforcement apprehended Papalpreet Singh in rural Amritsar. Known as an advisor to Amritpal Singh, intelligence agencies allege that Papalpreet was in direct communication with ISI to establish a Khalistan ambiance within Punjab, contributing to the state's unrest with terror plots. He has portrayed himself as a video journalist and social activist.
In 2017, Papalpreet joined Simranjit Singh Mann's party, Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar), but departed after nine months. Investigations reveal he operated a Khalistani propaganda website. Evidence also shows he was active in Punjab even before the emergence of the Waris Punjab De organization. A sedition case was registered against him in 2015.
Several cases, including UAPA charges, have been filed against Papalpreet Singh. He faced arrest in 2015 due to connections with Pakistan's ISI. Sedition charges were levied against him, too, and he was again apprehended in 2016. His academic background includes a postgraduate diploma in computer science and a three-year polytechnic diploma, completed in 2015.
Further probes unveiled irregularities in Papalpreet Singh's 2018-19 income tax returns; the bank account he cited was invalid upon verification. An investigation officer disclosed the nonexistence of such an account. In December 2022, the Income Tax Department issued a notice demanding details of his income, movable and immovable assets, and banking information.
