BKI operative granted bail as NIA fails to file challan

PUNIA, ALONG WITH OTHER BKI TERRORISTS — RAVINDERPAL, JAGDEV AND HARCHARAN — HAD PLANNED A TERROR STRIKE IN PUNJAB

MOHALI: The designated National Investigation Agency (NIA) court on Monday granted bail to prokhalistan militant Nishan Singh Punia, arrested on June 17 this year on charges of disturbing communal harmony and peace in the state, as the agency failed to file a challan within a stipulated period.

Punia, along with other Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) terrorists — Ravinderpal Singh, alias Ravi, of Moga, Jagdev Singh, alias Sonu, of Fatehgarh Sahib, and Harcharan Singh of Delhi — had planned a terror strike in Punjab. Kulwinderjit Singh, alias

Khanpuriya, who is now in Malaysia, has been named as the mastermind in the case.

The court of Karunesh Kumar, special judge CBI, also designated as a special judge, NIA, Mohali, granted bail to Punia against a bail bond of ₹1 lakh and two sureties of like amount.

“The NIA did not file a challan against Punia within a stipulated period so we moved a bail application. The NIA has to file challan within 90 days of the arrest, which is extendable by another 90 days,” said Punia’s counsel Ranjodh Singh Saroa.

In November, the NIA filed a challan against Ravinderpal, Jagdev, and Harcharan. The NIA said the accused were planning to target places/persons to destabilise law and order situation in Punjab and to revive terrorism in the state.

Khanpuriya and his associates raised funds and arranged arms and ammunition for terror strikes. Photos and videos of reconnaissance done by the accused have also been recovered from their electronic devices.