Interpol no to ‘Red Corner Notice’ against Pannun

Tribune News Service

Moga, April 5

The International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol) has turned down the Indian government’s request to issue international arrest warrants against Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, legal adviser to the Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), who is spearheading Referendum-2020, a secessionist campaign for Khalistan.

The Indian government, on the request of the Punjab government has already banned the organisation. At least 15 persons owing allegiance to the SFJ had already been arrested by Punjab Police during the past one year.

The Indian government has been making efforts for the extradition of Pannun to Punjab and putting him on trial for disturbing peace and persuading the innocent Sikh youths to carry out secessionist activities in the country, particularly, in Punjab.

Meanwhile, reiterating that the Referendum-2020 was a peaceful democratic campaign for the right to self-determination through “ballot not bullet”, Pannun in a statement stated, “Our legal team proved to Interpol that the Referendum-2020 is a peaceful campaign and is being managed under the UN Charter.”

In December 2018, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had filed a request with the Interpol for issuance of “Red Corner Notice” against Pannun, who had been declared a proclaimed offender (PO) in a sedition case registered at Mohali by the Capt Amarinder government. The CBI has also sent a dossier on Pannun’s involvement in anti-India activities and alleged ties with the ISI, Pakistan’s intelligence agency indirectly involved in terrorist activities in the country.