NIA Registers Fresh Case Against Pannun Over Alleged Plot to Stop PM Modi From Hoisting Tricolour

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has filed a new case against Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the US-based leader of the banned outfit Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), for allegedly issuing threats to disrupt India’s Independence Day celebrations. According to the FIR, Pannun incited soldiers to prevent Prime Minister Narendra Modi from hoisting the national flag at Red Fort on August 15, offering a reward of ₹11 crore to anyone who acted on his call. This marks yet another escalation in India’s legal battle against the controversial Khalistani figure, who has been at the center of multiple investigations.

In a video address from Washington, he declared a reward of ₹11 crore to those who would stop Modi from unfurling the Tricolour at the Red Fort. (File) | Hindustan Times

The Alleged Threat

The fresh FIR comes after a controversial video message released by Pannun ahead of Independence Day. Speaking virtually during a “Meet the Press” event organized at the Lahore Press Club in Pakistan, Pannun allegedly made a provocative appeal, urging Sikh soldiers to block the Prime Minister from carrying out the ceremonial flag hoisting. Along with the offer of a massive reward, Pannun reportedly displayed a map titled “Delhi Banayga Khalistan”, which depicted parts of Punjab, Delhi, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh as part of a proposed independent state.

The NIA’s report underlines that such statements not only incite hostility but also directly threaten India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. By invoking the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the agency has categorized Pannun’s actions as part of a larger conspiracy to destabilize the nation.

Background of Gurpatwant Singh Pannun and SFJ

Pannun, a U.S. citizen of Indian origin, is the general counsel of Sikhs for Justice, which was banned in India in 2019 for its secessionist agenda. The group has been active in organizing “Khalistan referendums” among diaspora Sikhs in countries such as the UK, Canada, and the U.S., a move India considers an attempt to internationalize the separatist cause.

Over the years, Pannun has been booked in several cases involving sedition, terrorism, and incitement. In 2020, he was officially designated as an individual terrorist under UAPA. His activities have consistently drawn the attention of Indian intelligence agencies, particularly because of his frequent appearances in videos urging youth to take up the Khalistan cause.

Global Dimensions and Diplomatic Strains

The case against Pannun also has international implications. In recent months, India has asked the United States to designate SFJ as a terrorist organization, citing its consistent anti-India activities abroad. This request reflects New Delhi’s concerns about diaspora-based separatist groups using foreign soil to propagate their ideology and plan subversive activities.

Diplomatic tensions have also flared between India and Canada, especially after the killing of pro-Khalistan leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey, Canada, in 2023. Pannun, who was closely linked to Nijjar, has accused India of “transnational terrorism” after reports emerged that U.S. agencies had foiled a plot to assassinate him on American soil. His close associate, Inderjit Singh Gosal, was recently arrested in Ottawa on firearms charges, further highlighting the international spread of SFJ’s network.

Legal and Security Implications

For India, the latest FIR is not just about one provocative speech—it is part of a broader effort to clamp down on Khalistani separatist activities that threaten internal security. The NIA’s decision to investigate under UAPA underscores the seriousness of the matter, as such cases allow the agency to probe international links, funding networks, and digital communication trails.

The challenge, however, lies in bringing Pannun to justice. Operating from abroad, he benefits from legal protections in the U.S., where freedom of speech laws are robust. Extradition, therefore, remains a complicated path, but India appears determined to build pressure by pursuing multiple cases and strengthening its diplomatic hand.

The MGMM Outlook

The fresh FIR filed by the NIA against Gurpatwant Singh Pannun once again exposes the dangerous agenda of Khalistani separatists operating from foreign soil. By openly calling on Sikh soldiers to prevent Prime Minister Modi from hoisting the national flag on Independence Day and offering crores in reward, Pannun has crossed all limits of provocation. His act of displaying a distorted map labeling “Delhi Banayga Khalistan” is not just an insult to India’s sovereignty but also a direct attempt to instigate division among communities and weaken the armed forces’ loyalty to the nation. India cannot ignore such threats, as they are not mere words but part of a larger conspiracy to destabilize the country through propaganda, foreign backing, and targeted incitement.

What stands out is the global dimension of this threat. From holding referendums abroad to using Pakistan’s platforms for anti-India propaganda, Pannun and SFJ continue to exploit international freedom to attack India. His connections with figures like Hardeep Singh Nijjar and incidents involving associates abroad only prove that the Khalistani network is expanding beyond borders with the support of hostile elements. The NIA’s swift action and the government’s diplomatic push to label SFJ a terrorist group worldwide show India’s determination to crush separatist activities at their root. It is vital that the international community understands the gravity of these designs and stops their soil from being misused for spreading anti-India extremism.

(Sources: Hindustan Times, NDTV, LiveMint)