NIA Names Amritpal Singh's Brother-In-Law As Key Accused In Attack On Indian High Commission In Canada

The National Investigation Agency has named radical preacher Amritpal Singh's brother-in-law Amarjot Singh as the primary accused in the March 23 attack on the Indian High Commission in Canada, Hindustan Times reported citing people familiar with the matter.

On March 23, the Indian High Commission in Ottawa had come under attack from Khalistan supporters where two grenades were hurled at the building.

As per the first information report filed by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), Amarjot Singh spearheaded a group of demonstrators supporting Khalistan who chanted anti-India slogans, placed Khalistani flags on the high commission's boundary wall, and threw two grenades inside the building. The FIR states that the accused individuals are charged with engaging in unlawful activities, including acts of terrorism.

Also, the central agency has named eight Khalistan supporters, including Baba Sarvan Singh for attacking the Indian Consulate in San Francisco.

The Indian Consulate in San Francisco was also attacked on March 20.

Last week, the NIA took over both cases from the Delhi Police. FIRs were registered under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) by Delhi Police Special Cell regarding the March 2023 attack in Canada and San Francisco (US). The case has now been transferred to the NIA, ANI reported citing sources.

Amarjot Singh is said to be the brother-in-law of Amritpal Singh. "When the Punjab police and Centre launched a manhunt for Amritpal Singh, Amarjot led protests against India in Canada. These protests were being spearheaded by Khalistani leaders like Hardeep Singh Nijjar [who was mysteriously shot dead in Surrey, British Columbia last week] and London-based Avtar Singh Khanda [who died in a hospital in Birmingham last week]. It is being investigated whether he was in touch with Amritpal Singh at that time," an officer, requesting anonymity, told the daily.

It has to be noted that Radical preacher Amritpal Singh was arrested from Punjab's Moga in April. Singh had been on the run since March 18 when a police crackdown was launched against him and his outfit 'Waris Punjab De'.