Chief of pro-Khalistan group Sikhs for Justice booked for sedition

In July 2020, Gurugram police had booked Pannu for sedition after he had allegedly released a video on social media blaming the government and people of Haryana for “being inimical to the interests of Sikhs and Punjabis”

Published on: Apr 17, 2022, 01:54:11 IST

By Leena Dhankhar

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Gurugram police on Friday registered a case against Gurpatwant Singh Pannu, the head of Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), a group based in the United States (US) that supports the secession of Punjab from India, for releasing a video on social media on Friday allegedly stating that Haryana will become a part of Khalistan and will be merged with Punjab.

Police said that in the video, which was uploaded on YouTube, Pannu said that SFJ would launch the ‘Haryana Banega Khalistan’ campaign on April 29 to advocate for the secession of the state from India through a referendum. (Reuters File)

He also said that Khalistan flags will be hoisted at all offices of the deputy commissioners and superintendents of police on April 29.

Bijender Singh, station house officer of Cyber Crime police station, said that they received a complaint in this regard on Friday from special task force (STF) Haryana. “In the video, Pannu warned that the next phase of the referendum for Punjab’s independence from India will be held in Italy on May 8. He said that when Punjab is liberated from India, Haryana will become a part of Punjab,” he said.

The police have also invoked the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) against Pannu. Police said that in the video, which was uploaded on YouTube, Pannu said that SFJ would launch the ‘Haryana Banega Khalistan’ campaign on April 29 to advocate for the secession of the state from India through a referendum.

A case was registered against Pannu under sections 124 A (sedition) and 153-A (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language etc) of the Indian Penal Code and sections 10 A and 13 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

In July 2020, Gurugram police had booked Pannu for sedition after he had allegedly released a video on social media blaming the government and people of Haryana for “being inimical to the interests of Sikhs and Punjabis”.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Leena Dhankhar
Leena Dhankhar is Senior Editor and Bureau Chief, Gurugram, at Hindustan Times, where she has spent over 17 years chronicling the transformation of one of India's fastest-growing urban regions. From starting her career as a crime reporter to leading the Gurugram bureau, her journalism has been defined by investigative reporting, in-depth storytelling and an unwavering focus on public interest. Over nearly two decades, she has reported extensively across crime, politics, civic governance, elections, real estate, environment, courts, sports, education and entertainment, covering Gurugram, Faridabad, Nuh and Palwal. Her reporting has exposed several major scams and systemic failures, including insurance frauds, waste management irregularities, illegal arms manufacturing units in Nuh, illegal mining in the Aravallis, organised crime networks and governance lapses affecting millions of residents. Known for her investigative work and exclusive stories, Leena has reported on high-impact national issues, including the Nicaragua charter flight carrying Indian migrants that was turned back amid allegations of human trafficking, exposing the growing network of illegal immigration rackets. Her work has also focused on gang wars, prison administration, juvenile crime, women and child protection systems, the functioning of the Juvenile Justice Board and Child Welfare Committee, and environmental challenges such as pollution, waterlogging and deteriorating civic infrastructure. Beyond hard news, Leena has extensively documented Haryana's rich heritage, forests and wildlife, bringing attention to the state's historical landmarks, biodiversity, conservation efforts and ecological challenges through immersive reportage and feature writing. Her journalism has consistently gone beyond breaking news. She has documented Gurugram's rapid urbanisation through long-form narratives and enterprise reporting on issues ranging from pothole-ridden roads, flooding and waste management to the changing social fabric of India's Millennium City. She also writes widely read feature columns, including The Outsider, Changemaker, and Concern for Gurugram, profiling people, places and ideas shaping the city's identity. Leena is the author of Gurugram School Murder, published by Juggernaut Books, a deeply reported account of one of India's most high-profile school murder investigations. She is currently working on her second book, an investigative work exploring some of India's most significant scams and fraud investigations. Beyond print journalism, she has expanded her storytelling through public speaking and digital media. She is a TEDx speaker and has produced podcasts exploring Gurugram's transformation, civic challenges and untold stories. Her work reflects a commitment to narrative journalism that combines rigorous reporting with compelling storytelling. A law graduate with an MBA in Human Resources, Leena brings a multidisciplinary perspective to her reporting, particularly on governance, public policy and legal affairs. She has travelled extensively across India to pursue investigative assignments, often reporting from remote locations and conflict-prone areas in search of stories that matter.Read More