The Election Commission of India (ECI) has informed the Delhi High Court that it is examining serious allegations of separatist links against ‘Waris Punjab De’ before taking a decision on the organisation’s application for registration as a political party.
In an affidavit filed before the High Court, the poll body said it had received sensitive inputs alleging that the organisation had separatist origins and raised concerns about its commitment to India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The objection, received on July 9, 2026, reportedly alleged that the organisation was founded by individuals detained under the National Security Act (NSA).
Waris Punjab De was founded in 2021 by actor and activist Deep Sidhu. It is presently headed by jailed MP Amritpal Singh, who is associated with the pro-Khalistan movement. The organisation intends to contest the Punjab Assembly elections scheduled for early 2027.
The ECI informed the Court that although the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Punjab had submitted a favourable verification report on April 27, 2026, the subsequent objection prompted the Commission to seek a comprehensive background inquiry. The report from the state election authorities is still awaited, despite reminders issued by the Commission.
The disclosure was made in affidavits dated September 14 and November 3, 2026, in response to a petition filed by Waris Punjab De seeking a time-bound decision on its application for registration as a political party.
According to the ECI, the organisation submitted its registration application on January 22, 2025, which was acknowledged on February 6, 2025. Following scrutiny, the Commission issued a communication on September 10, 2025, identifying deficiencies in the application. The CEO of Punjab was subsequently asked to undertake field verification on September 11, 2025.
The Commission maintained that it had sent two reminders to the state election authorities, on March 18 and April 20, 2026, before receiving a positive verification report a week later. However, the subsequent allegations necessitated a more detailed examination of the organisation’s background.
The ECI has argued that registration under Section 29A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, cannot be treated as a routine administrative exercise. The provision requires political parties seeking registration to affirm their allegiance to the Constitution and the principles of socialism, secularism and democracy, besides undertaking to uphold India’s sovereignty and integrity.
Contending that the ongoing inquiry cannot be bypassed, the Commission submitted that it cannot be compelled through a writ of mandamus to register the organisation without completing the necessary verification. It also rejected allegations of delay, attributing part of the delay to Waris Punjab De’s failure to furnish corrected documents within the stipulated period.
The ECI stated that although the organisation was granted 30 days to rectify the deficiencies communicated in September 2025, the revised documents were submitted only on January 16, 2026.
It further opposed the organisation’s contention that a delay in registration could deprive it of access to a common election symbol for the forthcoming Punjab Assembly elections, describing the argument as legally unsustainable.
In its latest affidavit, the Commission stated that the CEO Punjab’s report on the comprehensive background inquiry remained outstanding and that reminders had been issued. It added that further steps towards registration would be undertaken under Section 29A if the inquiry report was favourable.
Justice Saurabh Banerjee heard the matter on November 4 and listed it for further consideration on January 11, 2027.
Senior Advocate Meenakshi Arora appeared for Waris Punjab De along with advocates Ashim Shridhar, Nanakey, Harjot Singh Mann, Vijay Singh and Gurpreet Singh Sandhu. The ECI was represented by Standing Counsel Sanjay Vashishtha, along with advocates Siddhartha Goswami, Aditya Sachdeva and Richa Pandey.
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