Amid the Canada-India diplomatic row, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Saturday confiscated the immovable properties of Gurpatwant Singh Pannu, the chief of banned outfit Sikhs for Justice, in Chandigarh and Amritsar. The action was taken under the relevant section of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
“Property confiscation” notices were put up outside the residence of pro-Khalistan leader Pannu in Chandigarh and near a piece of agricultural land in Punjab’s Amritsar, officials said, as reported PTI.
The notice put up in Chandigarh read: “1/4th share of house no. 2033, sector 15-C, Chandigarh, owned by Gurpatwant Singh Pannu, a proclaimed offender in NIA case, stands confiscated to the state under section 33(5) of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 by the orders of the NIA special court, SAS Nagar, Mohali, Punjab. This is for information of general public.”
The notice put up near the farmland in Amritsar read: “5/16th share (46-0) in the land bearing khewat no. 93, khasra no. 23//22/1/2- 24//2/2/2- 2/3 3/3 4/2 5/2 6/2 24/7-8-9/1 9/2/1 12/1/2 12/2 13-14-15/1 16/2 17-18-19/1- 19/2/1 22/2 23-24-25/1 24//2/2-3-4-5-/1- 6/3-6/4 7-8/62/3/16. Total area 147-4 situated at village Khankot, Amritsar, owned by Gurpatwant Singh Pannu, a proclaimed offender in NIA case-19/2020/NIA/DLI, stands confiscated to the state under under section 33(5) of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 by the orders of the NIA special court, SAS Nagar, Mohali, Punjab. This is for information of general public.”
The latest NIA action came following the diplomatic row between India and Canada, after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged a “potential” Indian government link over the killing of Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar who was killed in June this year.
Nijjar and Pannu were designated as “terrorists” by the Centre on July 1, 2020, for actively running a secessionist campaign against India from abroad and motivating Sikh youth from Punjab to join militant ranks.
Pannu had allegedly attacked Hindu Canadians, asking them to leave the country and go back to India.