SFJ’s Pannun named as accused, 2 suspects held
MOGA: US-based pro-Khalistan outfit Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) legal adviser Gurpatwant Singh Pannun has been named as accused in the case pertaining to putting up a ‘Khalistan flag’ on the terrace of district administrative complex on August 14.
Besides, two prime accused, Jaspal Singh, 24, and Inderjeet Singh Gill, 23, of Moga’s Rauli village were arrested by special cell of Delhi Police on Sunday. Jaspal’s father is a police inspector and is posted in Muktsar.
According to Delhi Police, they received information on Saturday that two members of the banned terror outfit Khalistan Zindabad Force would be coming to Delhi to commit some anti-national activities on the directions of their foreign-based commanders. Accordingly, a trap was laid near Shani Mandir on the GT Karnal road.
The Moga police team that had gone to Delhi have secured remand of the accused persons from a Delhi court. On August 20, Ferozepur’s Sadhu Wala village resident Akashdeep Singh, who reportedly filmed the incident, was arrested from
Bathinda. Jaspal and Inderjeet had put up the flag with Khalistan written on it on the terrace of the administrative complex at 8.15am on August 14, police said. While fleeing, the two men also removed and took along the Tricolour hoisted on the premises.
Moga superintendent of police (SP) Jagatpreet Singh said Akashdeep has confessed that in response to a video message by SFJ’s Pannun, he along with Jaspal and Inderjeet hatched a conspiracy to hoist the Khalistani flag atop the DC office and dishonour the Tricolour.
“Pannun has been named as accused in the case as his role in the incident is being investigated,” he said.
“A lookout circular was issued against the accused. Their photos were circulated. We also announced a reward of Rs 50,000 for giving any useful information about them,” he said. “On Sunday morning, we got information from the Delhi Police that Inderjeet and Jaspal were arrested. A team was sent to Delhi to bring them to Moga,” he added.
The accused have been booked under Sections 115, 121, 121A, 124A, 153A, 153B, 506 and 2 of the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act; Section 66-F of the IT Act and Sections 10, 11, 13 of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act by the Moga city police.