New Delhi, Jan 23: The Delhi Police Special Cell has registered an FIR against designated terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun of Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) for allegedly issuing threats to create unrest in the national capital ahead of Republic Day, officials said on Friday.
The case has been registered under sections 196 (promoting enmity between different groups), 197 (imputations prejudicial to national integration), 152 (acts endangering sovereignty, unity and integrity of India) and 61 (criminal conspiracy) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), police said.
The action was initiated after Pannun released a video message on social media allegedly threatening to disturb peace and law and order in Delhi before the January 26 celebrations. In the video, he claimed that his “sleeper cells” had pasted pro-Khalistan posters across parts of the city, including Rohini in northwest Delhi and Dabri in southwest Delhi, as part of a larger conspiracy to incite unrest.
Senior police officers said the video was circulated widely on social media platforms with the intent to spread fear among the public and provoke disharmony. “The content of the video is provocative in nature and poses a threat to public order, especially given the heightened security arrangements ahead of January 26,” an officer said.
Following the claims made in the video, multiple teams from the Special Cell and local police units conducted extensive searches in the mentioned areas. However, no pro-Khalistan posters or related material were found during the verification drive, officials confirmed.
“The claims made by Pannun regarding posters being put up in Rohini and Dabri have not been substantiated so far. Despite extensive checks and coordination with local police stations, no such posters have been recovered,” the officer added.
The Special Cell said further investigation is underway to assess the intent, reach and potential impact of the video. Additional legal action will be taken based on the findings. Security agencies have stepped up vigil across the capital in view of Republic Day celebrations, with police maintaining that any attempt to disrupt peace will be dealt with strictly under the law.
