The case relates to a series of acts of violence including acts of arson in Punjab during the year 2017-18, carrying out propaganda activities both online and on-ground campaigns in support of SFJ and Referendum- 2020
New Delhi: The anti-terror probe agency NIA on Friday filed a charge sheet against 10 accused persons including designated terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun before the Mohali NIA Special Court in Punjab under sections 120B and 124A of IPC and 13, 16, 17, 18 and 20 of UA(P) Act, 1967 in Sikh for Justice (SFJ) case.
The charge-sheeted accused are Gurpatwant Singh Pannun of New York USA, Pargat Singh, Sukhraj Singh alias Raju, Bikramjit Singh alias Vicky, Manjeet Singh alias Manjit Singh, Jatinder Singh alias Goldi, Gurwinder Singh alias Gurpreet Singh, Harpreet Singh alias Happy, Kuldeep Singh alias Kuldip Singh and Harmeet Singh alias Raju.
Except for Harmeet Singh who is a resident of Delhi rest all are residents of Punjab. The case relates to series of acts of violence including acts of arson in Punjab during the year 2017-18, carrying out propaganda activities both online and on-ground campaigns in support of SFJ and Referendum- 2020, the probe agency officials said in the charge sheet.
These acts were committed by a gang of radicalized Sikh youth under the direction and financial assistance from SFJ handlers located abroad as part of an organized conspiracy by the accused for launching a concerted secessionist campaign for the creation of ‘Khalistan”, the charge sheet added.
This case was initially registered by Punjab police at Sultanwind Police Station at Amritsar City vide FIR No. 152 dated October 19, 2018, and later it was taken over by the National Investigation Agency on April 5 this year.
During the investigation of this case the probe agency revealed that SFJ, a secessionist outfit, has launched an incessant campaign using numerous social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, YouTube Channels, and a number of websites to propagate sedition and disturb peace and harmony in India.
These social media accounts are being used to radicalize impressionable youth and breed enmity on the grounds of region and religion.
An investigation has also clearly established that Gurpatwant Singh Pannun (leader of SFJ), radicalized and recruited the other accused persons into SFJ an organization declared as ‘Unlawful Association’ under UA(P) Act.
The accused persons had received funding from their handlers located abroad through various Money Transfer Service Scheme (MTSS) platforms to further the conspiracy, the NIA said, adding that further investigation in the case is under progress, the agency added.