New Delhi: India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) has filed a case against US-based Khalistani leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun and his organisation, ‘Sikhs For Justice’ (SFJ), for offering a reward of Rs 11 crore to prevent Prime Minister Narendra Modi from hoisting the national flag on Independence Day.
The case follows a video released by Pannun during a ‘Meet the Press’ event at the Lahore Press Club in Pakistan on August 10, in which he openly challenged India’s sovereignty. Addressing the event via video from the US, Pannun unveiled a map of a so-called Khalistan, claiming it would include Punjab, Delhi, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh.
The FIR states that Pannun “has indulged in activities for disrupting sovereignty, territorial integrity, and security of India and spreading disaffection among Sikhs against India.” It also notes that SFJ announced the formation of a “martyr’s group” to fight against India.
The Union Home Ministry, citing the seriousness of the offence and its national and international ramifications, directed the NIA to investigate. The case has been registered under criminal conspiracy provisions of the Indian Penal Code (Section 61(2)) and relevant sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
The ministry highlighted that Pannun’s address “primarily focussed on the rejection of India’s sovereignty over Punjab and the promotion of Khalistan,” making it imperative for India’s premier anti-terror agency to probe the matter thoroughly.
