NIA books SFJ founder Gurpatwant Singh Pannu for menacing air travel warning

• NIA booked Gurpatwant Singh Pannu, founder of pro-Khalistan group for threatening Air India passengers in a video
• Pannun faces charges under sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act
• Pannun's video urged Sikhs to avoid Air India flights, claiming a threat to their lives

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Monday has filed a case against Gurpatwant Singh Pannu, founder of the pro-Khalistan group Sikhs For Justice, for his threatening video against Air India passengers on November 19. Pannun has been booked under sections 120B, 153A & 506 of the Indian Penal Code and sections 10, 13, 16, 17, 18, 18B & 20 of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.

In a video released on November 4, Pannun urged Sikhs to avoid flying on Air India planes from that date, citing a supposed threat to their lives. He also threatened to block Air India's operations globally, triggering high-alert responses and investigations in Canada, India, and other countries served by Air India.

Pannun warned of the closure of Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) on November 19, a major global airport in New Delhi. The NIA accused Pannun of creating a false narrative, promoting discord between Sikhs and other communities in Punjab.

The Ministry of Home Affairs had previously banned Sikhs For Justice as an 'unlawful association' under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in July 2020. Pannun was listed as an 'individual terrorist' by the Centre in July 2020.

In September 2023, the NIA confiscated Pannun's share of a house and land owned by a listed terrorist in Amritsar and Chandigarh UT. Non-bailable warrants were issued against Pannun on February 3, 2021, and he was declared a 'Proclaimed Offender' on November 29, 2022.