INDIA. Mumbai: The Ahmedabad Police have filed an FIR against Gurpatwant Singh Pannu, a Canada-based Khalistani extremist and the founder of the banned organization “Sikh for Justice” (SFJ).
He is accused of issuing threats to disrupt the opening match of the ICC Cricket World Cup, which is set to take place at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, on October 5.
Pannu reportedly released a pre-recorded message stating, “Pro Khalistan Sikhs from Canada are in Delhi to avenge the assassination of ‘Shaheed Najjar.’ We are going to use a ballot against your bullet. We are going to use the vote against your violence. The target will be the ICC World Cup in Ahmedabad on October 5th. This will mark the start of the ‘World Terror Cup.'”
Hardeep Singh Najjar was killed in Surrey, Canada, on June 18.
According to Cyber Crime DCP Ahmedabad Ajit Rajian, the FIR against Pannu has been registered under sections 121(A), 153(A)(B), and 505 of the IPC, the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act of 1967 (amended in 2019), and the Information Technology (Amendment) Act of 2008.
This action was taken due to pre-recorded messages being circulated on social media platforms with the intent of disturbing the peace.
The police mentioned in the FIR that individuals across the country received Pannu’s threats via pre-recorded voice messages sent from a foreign number.
Reports indicate that many people received calls from a UK phone number, +44 7418 343648, during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Gujarat between September 26 and September 27, which contained a pre-recorded audio message by Pannu.
Gurpatwant Singh Pannu, who hails from Khankot village on the outskirts of Amritsar, Punjab, was declared a designated terrorist by the Indian Government on July 1, 2020.
A non-bailable arrest warrant was issued against him by the NIA on February 3, 2021, and he was declared a “Proclaimed Offender” on November 29, 2022.
Furthermore, his agricultural land was seized under Section 51A of the UAPA, and his properties at Krushi Bhoomi and Sector 15 in Chandigarh were recently attached by the NIA (Case No. RC-19/2020/NIA/DLI).
Pannu is currently facing 22 criminal cases, including three charges of sedition, in Punjab. In October 2022, INTERPOL rejected India’s second request to issue a Red Corner Notice against Pannu on terror-related charges, citing insufficient information.
Also Read: NIA Confiscates Properties of Canada-based Khalistani Terrorist Pannu in Chandigarh and Amritsar
