NIA files case against designated terrorist GS Pannun for threatening Air India passengers

NEW DELHI: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Monday booked the founder of pro-Khalistan group Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, in response to a video wherein he issued threats to passengers flying with Air India after November 19.

The case against Pannun has been filed under the Indian Penal Code and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

In the video messages circulated on various social media platforms, Pannun, who identifies himself as the general counsel of the outlawed SFJ, urged Sikhs to abstain from flying on Air India planes after November 19 citing threats to their lives. This led to heightened security measures in Canada, India and other countries operating Air India flights.

Pannun had also issued a video threatening to disrupt the ICC World Cup final between India and Australia in Ahmedabad.




Pannun has been on the NIA's radar since 2019 when the agency first registered a case against him. On February 3, 2021, the NIA Special Court issued non-bailable arrest warrants against Pannun and declared him a "Proclaimed Offender" in the same year.

The government had then classified SFJ as an 'unlawful association' under the UAPA and had designated Pannun as an 'individual terrorist'.

Earlier in September, the NIA had seized Pannun's properties in Chandigarh and a piece of agricultural land in Punjab's Amritsar.

Pannun was the organiser of "Khalistan Referendum-II" on October 29, 2023, in Surrey, Canada. He also declared the intent to hold a "Shaheed Nijjar Kill India Referendum," questioning the responsibility of Indian high commissioner Verma in the alleged assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar.





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