The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Tuesday filed a case against US-based Khalistani leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun for allegedly instigating Sikh soldiers to prevent Prime Minister Narendra Modi from hoisting the national flag at Red Fort on August 15.
Pannun, who is the general counsel for the banned 'Sikhs For Justice' (SFJ) outfit, has been charged with offences under Section 61(2) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (criminal conspiracy) and Sections 10 and 13 of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, 1967.
The case was registered following a directive from the Union Home Ministry.
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The investigating agency has found that Pannun hosted a “meet the press” at Lahore Press Club in Pakistan on August 10 and addressed journalists online from Washington. In his address, Pannun rejected India’s sovereignty over Punjab and promoted the cause of Khalistan.
He offered a reward of Rs 11 lakh to those who would prevent Modi from hoisting the tricolour and also unveiled the new "Delhi Banayga Khalistan" referendum map with Punjab, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh shown as its parts.
The NIA said Pannun had “indulged in activities for disrupting sovereignty, territorial integrity and security of India and spread disaffection among Sikhs against India”.
The home ministry had earlier noted that an NIA probe was required in the matter, given the gravity of the offence and its national and international ramifications.
The NIA had earlier filed a case against Pannun for issuing video messages threatening Air India passengers. He had asked Sikhs not to travel on Air India planes, claiming that there was a threat to their lives if they opted for the airline.
Pannun has been under the NIA's lens since 2019, when the anti-terror agency registered its first case against him. He was declared a "Proclaimed Offender" on November 29, 2022.