INDIAN media on Tuesday reported that the Indian government has ordered attachment of immovable properties owned by “designated terrorists” Canada’s Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Jalandhar and U.S. lawyer Gurpatwant Singh Pannu in Amritsar.

The Tribune newspaper reported that while Pannu heads the banned Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), Nijjar is the chief of the Khalistan Tiger Force (something that Nijjar has denied in Canada).

A senior National Investigation Agency (NIA) official said the orders for attaching the properties were issued in accordance with the powers conferred on the anti-terror probe body under Section 51A of the UAPA (Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act), 1967. Pannu owns land in Khankot village and in Bhainiwal under Sultanwind Suburban in Amritsar district. Nijjar has land at Bhar Singhpura village in Phillaur, Jalandhar.

According to The Tribune, an official said: “The orders have been issued as part of the NIA investigation into a concerted campaign by secessionist SFJ under the banner of Sikh Referendum 2020 for creation of Khalistan.” The outfit was also trying to hold meetings at certain places in the US and other countries to instigate and mobilise diaspora for its illegal activities, the official added.

The Centre had declared SFJ an unlawful association under the UAPA vide its notification on July, 10, 2019. On July 1 this year, it designated Pannu and Nijjar as terrorists, as per the fourth schedule of the Act.

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