The Delhi High Court tribunal upheld the five-year extension of the ban on Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), citing its continued subversive activities. The group, founded by Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, issued threats to top Indian officials and attempted to incite violence. Authorities highlighted SFJ’s use of social media to spread separatist propaganda. The extension aims to stop its influence and maintain national security.
New Delhi: A tribunal of the Delhi High Court upheld the extension of a five-year ban on the pro-Khalistan separatist group Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), founded by US-based lawyer Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.
This decision follows a range of subversive activities attributed to the organization, including threats directed at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and National Security Adviser Ajit Doval.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) had extended the ban on July 10 of the previous year under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) of 1967, citing SFJ’s ongoing anti-India activities.
The tribunal, which included Justice Anoop Kumar Mendiratta, was established on August 2 to evaluate the justification for maintaining SFJ’s designation as an unlawful association. On January 3, the tribunal confirmed the extension of the ban for an additional five years, effective from July 10, with the order published on Wednesday.
The government argued before the tribunal that SFJ’s actions posed a threat to India’s internal security and public order, potentially disrupting the country’s peace, unity, and territorial integrity.
The tribunal was informed that SFJ’s activities align with other separatist and extremist elements within India, promoting violent extremism and militancy in Punjab aimed at establishing a so-called Khalistan state.
The tribunal heard that SFJ has issued threats against various constitutional officials, including the Prime Minister and Home Minister.
Pannun has also targeted Indian diplomats abroad and has attempted to incite mutiny among Sikh soldiers in the Indian Army through social media. Even during the tribunal’s proceedings, SFJ targeted former Indian High Commissioner to Canada Sanjay Kumar Verma, alleging his involvement in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. A reward of USD 500,000 was offered for information on Verma’s movements, demonstrating SFJ’s disregard for the Indian Constitution and sovereign authorities.
Additionally, intelligence reports indicated that SFJ and Pannun were involved in an online campaign for a so-called “Referendum 2020” to establish an independent Khalistan. Reports revealed that SFJ organized a convention in Geneva for this purpose and launched numerous websites to facilitate voter registration for Sikhs outside India. SFJ has also sought support from local leaders in Punjab for this voter registration process while threatening them to maintain secrecy.
The tribunal was informed that SFJ attempted to incite Sikh pilgrims visiting Pakistan and has recruited underprivileged Sikh youths for pro-Khalistan propaganda and potential terrorist activities, allegedly with support from Pakistan’s ISI. Evidence presented indicated that SFJ was involved in activities against the G-20 Summit held in Delhi, including issuing an open letter to foreign ministers advocating for support of the Khalistan Referendum.
Pannun also called for a boycott of Air India flights from November 1-19, 2024, and has repeatedly threatened Indian political leaders, government officials, and their families abroad. SFJ has been found collaborating with Punjabi and Sikh gangsters abroad, who serve as mobilizers for its secessionist agenda. Ahead of Independence Day 2022, Pannun urged jailed gangsters in various Indian states to join the Khalistan Referendum, promising monetary rewards for their participation.
The Punjab Police have registered 55 cases against SFJ under various laws, with additional FIRs filed in states including Uttarakhand, Haryana, and Rajasthan, totaling 41 cases. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has also reported eight cases against SFJ.