Chandigarh- In a significant development, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has taken decisive action by confiscating the properties of Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the head of the banned Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) outfit, in Chandigarh and Amritsar. This operation, carried out under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, underscores the government’s unwavering commitment to combating extremism.
Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, recognized as the co-founder and legal adviser of the banned US-based Khalistani organization Sikhs for Justice, has long been on the radar for his extremist activities. The confiscation notice prominently placed outside Pannun’s residence in Chandigarh reveals that a portion of his property has been seized. This action has been taken pursuant to Section 33(5) of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, 1967, following orders from the NIA special court in SAS Nagar, Mohali, Punjab, dated 14/09/2023.
Similar measures were undertaken concerning agricultural land in Gurpatwant Singh Pannun’s ancestral village, Khankot, in Amritsar. A substantial 46 kanal of agricultural land owned by Pannu has been confiscated in relation to a terror case registered in 2020. It is important to note that Pannun’s father, Mohinder Singh Pannu, was a resident of Nathu Chak village of Patti sub-division in Tarn Taran before the partition, with the family later relocating to Khankot village in Amritsar.
Gurpatwant Singh Pannun’s notoriety extends beyond India’s borders, as he is one of the founders of the US-based separatist group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ). He has actively campaigned for the establishment of a separate Sikh state, known as Khalistan, in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
It is worth noting that in July 2020, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun was officially designated as a terrorist by the Union home ministry. Subsequently, the Indian government issued orders for the attachment of his properties under Section 51A of the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. Pannun has consistently advocated against India and has been involved in inciting Sikh youth in Punjab to embrace militancy.
Furthermore, he played a pivotal role in organizing the so-called Khalistan Referendum, a campaign that invited Sikhs worldwide to vote on Punjab’s potential independence based on religious lines. His close association with Canada-based Hardeep Singh Nijjar, whose murder remains a point of contention between Ottawa and New Delhi, has further complicated matters.
This operation by the National Investigation Agency is a significant step towards curbing extremism and ensuring national security. Gurpatwant Singh Pannun’s assets seizure demonstrates the Indian government’s unwavering commitment to combating individuals and organizations that pose a threat to the nation’s stability and peace.
