NIA books Khalistan separatist under UAPA for alleged call to stop PM Modi from unfurling flag

The National Investigation Agency has filed a case under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act against Khalistan separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun for allegedly announcing a reward of Rs 11 crore to stop Prime Minister Narendra Modi from unfurling the national flag on August 15, The Indian Express reported on Wednesday.

Pannun, an American and Canadian citizen, is a proponent of Khalistan, an independent state for Sikhs sought by some groups. He was declared an “individual terrorist” under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act in 2020.

Since 2021, Sikhs for Justice, a secessionist group founded by Panun, has also organised several unofficial “referendums” in foreign countries, including Canada, on whether a separate Sikh homeland should be carved out of India.

The reward for preventing Modi from unfurling the flag was allegedly announced by Panun from Washington during a virtual “press meet” organised at the Lahore Press Club in Pakistan on August 10.

He was booked on August 19 on the instruction of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, according to The Indian Express. This is the seventh first information report filed by the National Investigation Agency against him.

The FIR said that there was “credible information” and a video posted on the Sikhs for Justice’s handle on social media on August 10, in which Pannun declared a reward to prevent Modi from hoisting the...

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