New Delhi: The Delhi Police has arrested two sleeper cells linked to Canada-based Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun of ‘Sikhs for Justice’ The two have been arrested over Republic Day threats.
The arrests were made after the two allegedly tried to disturb public order by writing pro-Khalistani slogans at two separate locations ahead of Republic Day celebrations on January 26. As per reports published in News 18, Pannun had allegedly lured them by offering Rs 2 lakh to write “Khalistan Zindabad”. The conspiracy was allegedly hatched in Canada.
Pannun’s close associate hired both sleeper cells
One of Pannun’s close associate had hired the two sleeper cells, Baljinder and Rohit for the act. While Baljinder worked as an ambulance driver, Rohit used to work as assistant. The mastermind in the case, who lived in Delhi, had gone to Canada before January 26. He was in direct contact with Pannun.
The police have also filed a case against Pannun for allegedly issuing threats to create unrest in the national capital on January 26. It has filed the case under various cases of Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), including Sections 196 (promoting enmity), 197 (imputations prejudicial to national integration), 152 (acts endangering sovereignty, unity, and integrity of India), and 61 (criminal conspiracy). Pannun had released a video on social media claiming that “sleeper cells” put up pro-Khalistan posters in two localities of Rohini and Dabri in the national capital.
Delhi Police releases statement
“A close associate of Sikhs for Justice founder Gurpatwant Singh Pannun had hired the two accused to carry out the act. The entire plan was hatched in Canada, and Pannun had offered Rs. 2 lakh for this task. The mastermind, a resident of Tilak Nagar, had gone to Canada a few days before January 26th and was in direct contact with Pannun,” news agency ANI quoted Delhi Police Special Cell as saying.