India’s National Investigation Agency has filed Chargesheet against 16 Khalistani terrorists before the NIA Special Court, New Delhi in Referendum 2020/ SFJ case registered under sections 120B, 124A, 153A, 153B and 505 of IPC and 13, 17 and 18 of Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, 1967. The case pertains to the attempt by these people to create a secessionist campaign under the banner of Referendum 2020 to create ‘Khalistan’. The accused persons are the residents of US, UK and Canada.
NIA has stated that the ‘Sikhs For Justice’ organisation is popped up by the Khalistani terrorists who have the backing of Pakistan. SFJ operates as a Human Rights advocacy group with offices in UK, US, Canada, Australia and others. This organisation through Facebook, Twitter, Youtube and other social media platforms have been propagating anti-India rhetoric and lure youth to join this organisation. NIA also accused SFJ of trying to instigate communal tensions based on religion and region. This controversial organisation is also trying to make Sikhs in the Indian army to revolt against the Indian state.
SFJ leaders like Gurpatwant Singh Pannum, Hardeep Singh Nijjar and Paramjit Singh @pamma are already declared as terrorists by NIA under UAPA. Immovable properties of these terrorists in Punjab had been attached by the union home ministry after a request was made by NIA. Section 51A of UAPA allows the Union Home Ministry to attach properties of the individuals designated as terrorists.
SFJ is accused of being a shadow organisation of Pakistan’s ISI. The presence of Khalistani fundamentalist groups is also felt in the ongoing farmers’ agitation near Delhi.
