The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has charged Gurpatwant Singh Pannun under the anti-terror law for attempting to target and disrupt the Indian transportation industry, days after the airline was designated as a "individual terrorist" and he threatened passengers flying on Air India with a worldwide blockade and the airline's closure of operations starting on November 19.
NIA, in a statement said it had charged US-based Pannun - the self-declared ‘General Counsel’ of the banned Khalistani outfit Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) - under provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 and the Indian Penal Code.
In a video message released by him on November 4, Pannun had asked Sikhs not to fly Air India on or after November 19, citing a threat to their lives. He also threatened Air India, now owned by the Tata Group, that it would not be allowed to operate globally. Further, Pannun issued a warning to the Government of India that Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi would remain closed on November 19 and that it would be renamed after ‘Shahid Beant Singh and Shahid Satwant Singh’ - the two assassins of Indira Gandhi who were later hanged to death, “once Punjab is liberated”.
NIA said Pannun’s assertions and threats have triggered a high alert and investigations by the security agencies in Canada, India and other Air India destinations across the world. Extra security measures including restrictions on visitors’ entry have been put in place at airports in Delhi and Punjab.
The NIA stated that the US-based attorney has been fabricating a story about the problems in the state of Punjab, particularly in relation to the Sikh religion, and encouraging animosity between the Sikh community and other Indian communities as part of his coordinated plan to encourage terror acts in India to revive terrorism in India.