In a significant development regarding the violent attacks on the Indian High Commission in London, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has filed its initial charge sheet implicating a United Kingdom national, Inderpal Singh Gaba, in the conspiracy. The charge sheet was submitted to a special court dedicated to NIA cases, marking a critical step in the investigation into the high-profile incidents.
Inderpal Singh Gaba, a resident of Hounslow, UK, was apprehended by Indian immigration officials at the Attari border in Amritsar nearly five months after travelling from London to India via Pakistan. Gaba was arrested on April 25, 2024, upon his arrival in India for a visit to the Golden Temple. The NIA has charged Gaba with involvement in the attacks that occurred on March 22, 2023, targeting the Indian High Commission in London.
According to an NIA spokesperson, “Inderpal Singh Gaba, a UK national residing in Hounslow and originally from New Delhi, has been charge-sheeted as one of the key agitators who actively participated in the anti-India protest that took place on March 22, 2023. This protest was part of the Khalistani secessionist agenda. Gaba’s arrest by the NIA on April 25 followed an exhaustive investigation that established his role in the secessionist activities.”
The spokesperson further detailed, “In December 2023, Gaba was detained by Immigration Authorities at the Attari border upon his arrival from London via Pakistan. This action was based on a Look Out Circular issued against him. Subsequent investigations were initiated, during which Gaba was prohibited from leaving the country. The NIA seized his mobile phone and scrutinized its contents, uncovering several incriminating videos and photographs related to the incident. This evidence was crucial in confirming his involvement in the violent protests.”
The charge sheet reveals that the attacks on the Indian High Commission were orchestrated as a retaliatory response to actions taken by the Punjab Police against Amritpal Singh, the leader of the ‘Waris Punjab De’ group. The objective of these attacks was to influence the crackdown on the group and its leader, and to advance the Khalistani cause of secession in Punjab.
The violent incidents on March 22, 2023, saw approximately 2,000 pro-Khalistan supporters storm the Indian High Commission in London. They vandalised the building and threw objects, including ink, to deface it. Just three days earlier, on March 19, a smaller group had attacked the High Commission, pulling down the Indian flag and injuring several embassy officials.
Following these attacks, the NIA, with assistance from the Metropolitan Police, conducted an investigation in London. During this visit, the agency released CCTV footage of the March 19 attack and identified at least 45 suspects.
Avtar Singh Khanda, a radical Sikh from Britain who passed away in a UK hospital in June 2023, was identified as the mastermind behind these assaults. Khanda was known to be a close associate of Khalistani terrorist Jagtar Singh Tara. The attacks were reportedly a reaction to the Punjab Police’s crackdown on Amritpal Singh on March 18, 2023. Singh was arrested on April 23, 2023, and later became a Member of Parliament (MP) for the Lok Sabha from Khadoor Sahib. He is currently being held in a high-security facility in Dibrugarh, Assam, under the National Security Act (NSA).
