National Investigation Agency: According to sources, the investigation into the attacks on the Indian High Commissions in Canada and the United States would likely be taken over by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). The investigation agency is already looking into the attacks on the Indian High Commission in the UK, and now insiders claim the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) would likely transfer both cases—the ones involving Canada and the US—to the NIA soon.
FIRs Filed by Delhi Police’s Special Cell
The Indian High Commissions in San Francisco and Canada were attacked in March of this year, and two different First Information Reports (FIRs) were filed in connection with those attacks by the Special Cell of the Delhi Police. The Special Cell filed a FIR under the UAPA and the Explosive Act in this case because a grenade was also hurled during the assault on the Indian High Commission in Canada. A similar assault on the Indian High Commission occurred in San Francisco, California, during the same month. In this instance as well, the Special Cell filed a FIR under the UAPA.
NIA Team Arrives in London to Investigate Pro-Khalistani Protests at Indian High Commission
In order to look into the pro-Khalistani protests that resulted in the national flag at the Indian High Commission being taken down in March of this year, a five-person NIA team arrived in London on May 23. The NIA team also had a list of individuals with Khalistani connections, which it would give to the British government and security services in London. On April 18, the MHA’s Counter Terrorism and Counter Radicalization (CTCR) division turned over the file to the NIA.
Pro-Khalistani Protesters Seize Indian High Commission’s Tricolour in London Incident
On March 19, a group of demonstrators brandishing pro-Khalistani signs and waving separatist Khalistan flags seized a Tricolour atop the Indian High Commission in London. The hardline Sikh preacher and Khalistan supporter Amritpal Singh was seen being called for to be “freed” by multiple protesters in videos of the incident as they carried the yellow and black flag of Khalistan. In the footage, one of the protesters is shown scaling a balcony and, amid applause from the other guys, removing the Indian flag from a pole in front of the high commission. As soon as they arrived, British police officers stopped the demonstrators from approaching the Indian High Commission’s entrance. The videos showed that the protesters shouted obscenities towards Indian authorities inside. In addition to cybercrimes and human trafficking, the NIA Act was amended by the Centre in August 2019 to allow the agency to look into terrorist attacks against Indians and Indian interests abroad. Based on the MHA’s directives, the Counter-Terrorism and Counter-Radicalization unit filed a First Information Report (FIR) and started its investigation.
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