Amarpreet Singh, the head of operations for India for the UK-based non-governmental organization Khalsa Aid, has resigned as a result of the claims that he received foreign funding from the outlawed terrorist group Sikhs For Justice (SFJ).
According to a letter dated October 8 that was purportedly released by Khalsa Aid on social media, organizational modifications to the NGO’s structure were required.
“We always strive to be accountable to the Sangat (people), and we continuously work to ensure that its management system functions properly. With this goal in mind, adjustments have recently been made to how the Khalsa Aid India Charitable Trust Board and Khalsa Aid India operate. According to the letter, this modification was required to guarantee the efficient operation of the business in Punjab and throughout India.
Notably, in August, the anti-terror agency National Investigation Team (NIA) had raided the premises of Khalsa Aid’s India headquarters in Patiala. The agency seized some documents and two mobile phones owned by Amarpreet Singh.
The NIA team had also conducted a search at Amarpreet Singh’s house, located in the Patiala area, after the attack on an Indian mission in London on March 19. He was also questioned over the source of money and the details of volunteers associated with the NGO.
As per sources, Khalsa Aid came under the NIA’s radar after a case was registered against the US-based terrorist organisation Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) in 2021 during the farmer agitation.
The probe agency alleged that SFJ had sent foreign funds through NGOs to “pro-Khalistan elements” for spreading “propaganda against India”.
Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was killed in Canada in July this year, was a prominent member of the SFJ.
While Amarpreet Singh was unavailable for comment, Patiala CID officials confirmed that he had resigned as Khalsa Aid’s India chief.