The Election Commission of India (ECI) has informed the Delhi High Court that it has received a “grave and highly sensitive” input against the Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De) and that the outfit’s registration as a political party may adversely affect the country’s sovereignty and integrity.
The poll body said that while the issue of registration of the Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De) was under consideration, the commission received a “sensitive” input in July that the outfit is rooted in “separatism”, was founded by individuals detained under the National Security Act (NSA) and poses grave concerns regarding its allegiance to the sovereignty, unity, and integrity of India.
ECI Raises Red Flag Over Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De) Registration
It said that while the chief electoral officer (CEO) of Punjab gave a positive verification report about the organisation on April 27, 2026, the objection about the outfit’s “separatist roots” was received on July 9 2026. The CEO was then instructed to conduct a “comprehensive background inquiry” and furnish a detailed report.
The report of the inquiry is yet to be received, the EC said.
The EC made the submissions in two separate affidavits filed before Justice Saurabh Banerjee, who has now listed the matter for consideration on January 11, 2027. The EC filed the affidavits in response to a petition by Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De) seeking to direct the poll body to decide the January 22, 2025 application of the party in a time-bound manner, with an outer limit of one week. The outfit has sought approval for the proposed name ‘Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De)’ and registration as a political party.
The late Deep Sandhu founded the Waris Punjab De, which was later headed by jailed Khadoor Sahib MP Amritpal Singh. In January 2025, Singh’s father and Faridkot MP Sarabjit Singh Khalsa announced the formation of a new political party, Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De). Legislative Assembly elections in Punjab are due in February 2027.