The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Tuesday (21 March) pulled up Punjab government over its failure to nab radical Khalistani preacher Amritpal Singh.

The High Court was hearing the habeas corpus petition filed by advocate Imaan Singh Khara, seeking the “release” of Amritpal Singh from alleged police custody.

The Court also questioned as to how he managed to escape despite the presence of a sizeable police force in the state.

“You have 80,000 cops, what were they doing? How did Amritpal flee despite the availability of all information about him with the police,” the HC asked, reports Times of India.

The Punjab Police on Saturday (18 March) had launched a major crackdown against Amritpal Singh and members of his outfit 'Waris Punjab De.'

The elusive preacher himself, however, gave the police a slip and escaped their dragnet when his cavalcade was intercepted in Jalandhar district.

In his petition, Khara sought the production of Amritpal Singh from alleged police custody. Khara is the legal advisor of Amritpal Singh and his outfit 'Waris Punjab De.'

The Punjab Police say the Khalistan sympathiser is still on the run after escaping their dragnet.

Armed with weapons, the entire state machinery swung into action yet Amritpal Singh managed to escape while all his associates were arrested, Justice Shekhawat observed and said it was hard for him to believe this.

Replying to the court queries, the Punjab AG said the state police was fully armed but exercised restrain due to security issues as the operation occurred at a public place.

The HC has reportedly now granted four days’ time to the state police to submit a status report on the issue.

(With inputs from PTI)