The Centre has asked the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to investigate the attack on the Indian high commission in London on March 19, transferring the case from Delhi police’ special cell, reports Rajshekhar Jha.
The probe requires ascertaining the identities of those in the mob led by alleged Khalistani terrorist Avtar Singh Khanda. Khanda had pulled down the Tricolour at the mission. He is also learnt to have trained fugitive Khalistani sympathiser Amritpal Singh. An expert in explosives, Khanda has sought UK asylum.
“The central government is of the opinion that a scheduled offence under the National Investigation Agency Act, 2008, has been committed. The gravity of the offence and its national and international linkages require that it is probed by the NIA,” the order states. Khanda and his associate, Gurcharan Singh, had allegedly instigated a mob of 50-60 to vandalise the mission, dishonor the National Flag hoisted inside the complex and grievously injure officials.
The probe requires ascertaining the identities of those in the mob led by alleged Khalistani terrorist Avtar Singh Khanda. Khanda had pulled down the Tricolour at the mission. He is also learnt to have trained fugitive Khalistani sympathiser Amritpal Singh. An expert in explosives, Khanda has sought UK asylum.
“The central government is of the opinion that a scheduled offence under the National Investigation Agency Act, 2008, has been committed. The gravity of the offence and its national and international linkages require that it is probed by the NIA,” the order states. Khanda and his associate, Gurcharan Singh, had allegedly instigated a mob of 50-60 to vandalise the mission, dishonor the National Flag hoisted inside the complex and grievously injure officials.