In a significant legal development, a special court in Mohali, Punjab, has sentenced Kulwinderjeet Singh, also known as Khanpuria, a member of Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), along with three associates, to life imprisonment. The verdict, delivered on Thursday, follows their conviction a day earlier on charges related to acts against the sovereignty of India.
Khanpuria, who was apprehended by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in 2022, was found guilty under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) on Wednesday. The special NIA court, presided over by Judge Manjot Kaur, also convicted Jagdev Singh, Ravinderpal Singh Mehna, and Harcharan Singh in the case.
The sentencing of Khanpuria was based on multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code, including criminal conspiracy, waging war against the Government of India, conspiracy to commit offenses punishable under section 121, and preparations for waging war. Additionally, sections 17, 18, 18B, 20, 38, and 39 of the UAPA were invoked.
All sentences imposed will run concurrently.
Khanpuria’s arrest took place at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi upon his arrival from Bangkok in December 2022. Initially pursued by the State Special Operation Cell of the Punjab Police in 2019, the case was subsequently taken over by the NIA, marking a significant advancement in the nation’s efforts to combat terrorism and insurgency.