In a significant development, a special court designated under the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has turned down the discharge petition filed by Mohiuddin Siddiqui, who was charged, along with others, for allegedly attempting to revive militancy in Punjab and establish a separate state of ‘Khalistan.’
The court, presided over by Special Judge AM Patil, dismissed Siddiqui’s plea, stating that it is essential to scrutinize the charge sheet to determine whether there is sufficient ground to proceed against the accused. The judge emphasized that the guilty pleas of other accused, Harpal Singh and Gurjeet Singh Nijjar, further support the prima facie truth of the accusations against Siddiqui.
The accused, who claimed to be a former Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) operative, allegedly provided ammunition and international SIM cards to the convicted individuals. The NIA asserted that Siddiqui and his associates were part of a criminal conspiracy to commit terrorist acts for the formation of a separate ‘Khalistan state,’ posing a threat to India’s security, integrity, and sovereignty.
During the investigation, the NIA gathered evidence from Siddiqui’s mobile phones, revealing his connection to the conspiracy. The accused allegedly posted videos and images related to Operation Blue Star of 1984, along with praising militants Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and Jagtar Singh Hawara.
Siddiqui vehemently argued that his superiors had misled the Punjab and Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), claiming a conspiracy against him. He contended that the NIA relied solely on chats, calls, and social media posts, failing to collect GPRS data from telecom companies.
Special Public Prosecutor countered Siddiqui’s claims, emphasizing that the accused had procured a pistol, ammunition, and money for the conspiracy. The court accepted the seriousness of the charges and rejected Siddiqui’s discharge application.
As the case unfolds, it sheds light on the complexities surrounding the alleged attempt to revive the Khalistan movement, with legal proceedings set to continue.
