London, UK: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) made a significant breakthrough on Thursday by apprehending a key suspect in the 2023 case involving the violent attack on the High Commission of India in London. The arrested individual, Inderpal Singh Gaba, a resident of Hounslow, UK, was implicated in carrying out unlawful activities during protests that occurred on March 22, 2023, as per a statement issued by the agency.
NIA’s investigations unveiled that the events in London in March 2023 were part of a larger conspiracy aimed at launching vicious attacks on Indian missions and officials. These attacks were reportedly in retaliation to actions taken by the Punjab Police against pro-Khalistani separatist Amritpal Singh on March 18, 2023. Further inquiries into the case are ongoing, as stated in the agency’s release.
Following extensive efforts by the Punjab Police to locate Amritpal Singh, who had been labeled a fugitive, he voluntarily surrendered to the Moga Police in Punjab and was subsequently arrested. The incident involving the Indian High Commission in London saw a group of protesters grabbing the tricolor flag and replacing it with separatist Khalistani flags, chanting pro-Khalistani slogans.
Videos from the protest captured individuals pulling down the Indian flag, replacing it with the Khalistan flag, and calling for the release of the Khalistan sympathizer Amritpal Singh. The British police intervened to prevent the protesters from approaching the entrance of the Indian High Commission, as tensions escalated during the demonstration.
In April 2023, the Ministry of Home Affairs’ Counter Terrorism and Counter Radicalization (CTCR) division handed over the case to the NIA after discussions with UK representatives. The NIA’s investigative powers were further reinforced in August 2019 through amendments to the NIA Act, enabling the agency to probe terror activities against Indians and Indian interests globally, in addition to cyber crimes and human trafficking.
Upon receiving the case, the NIA initiated its inquiry based on an FIR filed under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) by the Delhi Police. The agency’s involvement marked a shift from the initial police investigation, signifying the seriousness with which the government viewed the incident. Ongoing efforts continue to shed light on the motives behind the attack on the Indian High Commission and the subsequent protests in London.