Congress MP Ravneet Singh Bittu Supports Seizure of Khalistani Leader’s Properties
Congress MP Ravneet Singh Bittu, the grandson of the late Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh, has expressed his approval of the National Investigation Agency’s (NIA) recent move to confiscate the properties of Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a member of the banned pro-Khalistani group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ). Bittu not only welcomed this action but also called for Pannun’s extradition, citing serious allegations against him.
Ravneet Bittu stated, “The government should extradite him (Pannun). I appreciate this action. His properties should be bulldozed. Pannun’s properties should be bombed. He is supplying drugs. He is insulting our country. His property should be bulldozed… this is a welcome step.”
The NIA, on Saturday, took possession of certain immovable properties belonging to Gurpatwant Singh Pannun under section 33(5) of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), 1967.
Legal Actions Against Gurpatwant Singh Pannun
Multiple agencies have filed cases against Pannun, who has been declared as an “individual terrorist” under the fourth schedule of UAPA (Unlawful Activities Prevention Amendment Act). An official informed Smartkhabrinews about the specific charges, stating, “Pannun is accused in case RC-19/2020/NIA/DLI dated 05.04.2020 under sections 120-B, 124-A, 153-A, 153-B, and 17, 18, and 19 of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967. The case relates to funding of terrorist activities in Punjab from abroad, creating disharmony among communities, and radicalizing youth for terrorist activities.”
The properties seized by NIA include agricultural land in Village Khankot, Amritsar, and a share of House Number 2033, Sector 15/C, Chandigarh.
Diplomatic Tensions Between India and Canada
This action comes amidst diplomatic tensions between India and Canada over Ottawa’s allegations that New Delhi had a hand in the murder of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Ravneet Bittu has also voiced his concerns about Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, accusing him of receiving funds from Canadians involved in the narcotics trade in Punjab. He expressed support for the Narendra Modi government’s foreign policy stance on the issue, saying, “Our foreign policy from Jawaharlal Nehru to PM Narendra Modi ji has been of non-alignment. The Congress has also taken a strong stance on what the Canadian PM has said in their Parliament.”
Ravneet Bittu further criticized Trudeau, stating, “The Canadian PM is speaking against our country and our prime minister in his Parliament. When Trudeau’s father was the prime minister, the Kanishka bombing took place, and even the investigation of that could not take place,” referring to the bombing of an Air India flight in 1985.
A Legacy of Tragedy
Ravneet Singh Bittu’s grandfather, Beant Singh, who was the Chief Minister of Punjab, was assassinated in an explosion outside the Punjab civil secretariat on August 31, 1995. In May of this year, the Supreme Court declined to commute the death penalty of Balwant Singh Rajoana, who was convicted in the assassination case.
In a bold move, the NIA’s action against Gurpatwant Singh Pannun signals the government’s commitment to combating terrorism and securing the nation’s interests. With ongoing diplomatic tensions, the situation remains complex, and political figures like Ravneet Singh Bittu continue to play a significant role in shaping India’s response to these challenges.