High Court Justice Rajbir Sehrawat delivered a significant ruling today, rejecting a petition put forth by Khalistan extremist Amritpal Singh and three other individuals. The petition sought to invalidate an order issued by the Amritsar Deputy Commissioner on July 6, which allegedly deprived them of their right to choose their own legal representation. The petitioners argued that such a right was guaranteed to them by the Constitution.
Amritpal Singh, Harjit Singh, Sarabjeet Kalsi, and Varinder Fauji not only sought to challenge the aforementioned order, but also requested the High Court to direct the Deputy Commissioner to facilitate and ensure their access to legal consultations with the lawyers of their preference.
However, Justice Rajbir Sehrawat dismissed the petition, upholding the validity of the July 6 order. The court’s decision emphasized the importance of adhering to due process and ensuring fair legal proceedings. The ruling clarified that while individuals have the right to legal representation, the authorities possess the discretion to regulate and allocate legal aid in the interest of maintaining an impartial and orderly judicial process.
The case drew considerable attention due to the involvement of pro-Khalistan extremists, whose activities have been a subject of concern within the region. The court’s ruling is likely to have implications not only for this particular case, but also for similar instances where the choice of legal representation is questioned.
It is worth noting that the decision does not undermine the petitioners’ right to a fair trial, as they will still be provided legal assistance. However, the court’s ruling emphasizes the need to strike a balance between the rights of the accused and the overall administration of justice.
