NIA files charge sheet in Maharashtra Khalistan case
New Delhi, May 24 (UNI) The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Friday filed a charge sheet against four people, including three absconders, for their alleged involvement in reviving the Sikh militancy, with the ultimate objective of creating a separate 'Khalistan State' in Maharashtra.
The charge sheet was filed in the Special NIA Court at Mumbai against Harpal Singh alias Raju, Mohiuddin Siddiqui alias Mohin Khan and Gurjeet Singh Nijjar under Sections 120B of IPC, Sections 3, 7 read with 25 of the Arms Act, Section 37 read with Section 135 of the Bombay/Maharashtra Police Act and Sections 18 and 20 of the UA (P) A and against arrested accused Sunder Lal Parashar under Section 120B of IPC and Sections 3, 7, read with 25 of the Arms Act, 1959.
Initially, this case was registered by Maharashtra Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) on December 2 at Mumbai, after the arrest of Harpal. An illegal weapon, along with five live rounds, was seized from his possession.
During investigation, Mohiuddin Siddiqui, a wanted accused, was arrested on December 24, 2018.
The NIA took over the case on January 10, 2019 and persuaded the investigation.
During investigation by the central probe agency, it was established that Harpal, Mohiuddin and Gurjeet entered into a criminal conspiracy to commit a terrorist act for the formation of separate 'Khalistan State,' thereby threatening the security, integrity and sovereignty of India and for attempting to revive the Sikh militancy.
''The accused used to post videos and images containing praises of militant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, Jagtar Singh Hawara, a convicted accused in the assassination of Beant Singh, former Chief Minister of Punjab, apart from images and videos of Operation Blue Star of 1984.
''They also posted pro-Khalistani posts, related to Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), with the sole intention to motivate vulnerable Sikh youths and others to join the Khalistan movement in India and with the ultimate objective of a separate 'Khalistan State'.
''In pursuance of the said conspiracy, they also arranged an illegal weapon and ammunition,'' NIA added.
In course of investigation, the probe agency also arrested Delhi-based Sunder Lal Parashar on April 24, 2019, who had supplied a country-made pistol to accused Moin Khan, who further sold it to Harpal, which was subsequently recovered from his possession.
''Investigation also revealed that wanted accused Gurjeet Singh, resident of Amritsar rural district in Punjab and presently residing in Cyprus, is the main conspirator of this case and operating with his accomplices from Cyprus through Facebook, WhatsApp and IMO,'' the NIA officials said.