<p>The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has summoned around 40 persons to be examined as ‘witnesses’ in a case related to the banned the Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), according to a report by <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/nia-summons-40-persons-to-be-examined-as-witness-in-fresh-case-against-sfj/article33588372.ece" target="_blank"><em>The Hindu</em></a>.</p>.<p>The Sikhs for Justice is a US-based secessionist group that supports the secession of Punjab from India as Khalistan.</p>.<p>According to the report, the notices were sent to farm leader Baldev Singh Sirsa, UK-based TV journalist Jasveer Singh Muktsar, actor Deep Sidhu, and a sweet-shop owner among others. They have been asked to appear at the NIA’s headquarters between January 18 and 21.</p>.<p>The notices have been issued under Section 160 of the CrPC.<br /><br />A government official denied any connection between the summons and participation in the farmers' agitation, according to the report.</p>.<p>Jasveer Singh Muktsar, a journalist with the UK-based KTV told the publication, “I have been asked to appear before the NIA on January 18. I shall be going there with my legal team. I do not know why I have been summoned. I am a journalist covering the protest.”</p>.<p>Another person who was summoned, Ranjit Singh of Amritsar, said: “I and 16-17 other young leaders have also received notices. We have no connection with the SFJ. This is a ploy to implicate us in a false case. I agree that we accept donations to organise langars but that is from friends and known people. We returned from Delhi only last week”.<br /><br /><em>DH </em>could not independently verify the report.</p>.<p>Reacting to the summons, Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal alleged that attempts are being made to <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/attempts-to-intimidate-farmers-through-notices-from-central-agencies-sad-939956.html" target="_blank">threaten farmer leaders</a> through notices by agencies like the NIA.</p>.<p>“Simultaneously, it (Centre) is intimidating farmers by issuing notices to them through various agencies like the National Investigation Agency (NIA). Farmers are not anti-nationals. We condemn this,” Badal said.</p>.<p>Sikhs for Justice was banned in 2019 under the UAPA for allegedly spreading anti-national activities. The outfit had been using Google Play to spread its agenda through the "2020 Sikh Referendum" app, which was removed following demands from Punjab CM Amarinder Singh.<br /><br /><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>
<p>The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has summoned around 40 persons to be examined as ‘witnesses’ in a case related to the banned the Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), according to a report by <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/nia-summons-40-persons-to-be-examined-as-witness-in-fresh-case-against-sfj/article33588372.ece" target="_blank"><em>The Hindu</em></a>.</p>.<p>The Sikhs for Justice is a US-based secessionist group that supports the secession of Punjab from India as Khalistan.</p>.<p>According to the report, the notices were sent to farm leader Baldev Singh Sirsa, UK-based TV journalist Jasveer Singh Muktsar, actor Deep Sidhu, and a sweet-shop owner among others. They have been asked to appear at the NIA’s headquarters between January 18 and 21.</p>.<p>The notices have been issued under Section 160 of the CrPC.<br /><br />A government official denied any connection between the summons and participation in the farmers' agitation, according to the report.</p>.<p>Jasveer Singh Muktsar, a journalist with the UK-based KTV told the publication, “I have been asked to appear before the NIA on January 18. I shall be going there with my legal team. I do not know why I have been summoned. I am a journalist covering the protest.”</p>.<p>Another person who was summoned, Ranjit Singh of Amritsar, said: “I and 16-17 other young leaders have also received notices. We have no connection with the SFJ. This is a ploy to implicate us in a false case. I agree that we accept donations to organise langars but that is from friends and known people. We returned from Delhi only last week”.<br /><br /><em>DH </em>could not independently verify the report.</p>.<p>Reacting to the summons, Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal alleged that attempts are being made to <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/attempts-to-intimidate-farmers-through-notices-from-central-agencies-sad-939956.html" target="_blank">threaten farmer leaders</a> through notices by agencies like the NIA.</p>.<p>“Simultaneously, it (Centre) is intimidating farmers by issuing notices to them through various agencies like the National Investigation Agency (NIA). Farmers are not anti-nationals. We condemn this,” Badal said.</p>.<p>Sikhs for Justice was banned in 2019 under the UAPA for allegedly spreading anti-national activities. The outfit had been using Google Play to spread its agenda through the "2020 Sikh Referendum" app, which was removed following demands from Punjab CM Amarinder Singh.<br /><br /><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>
