Three arrested in Punjab over pro-Khalistan graffiti at Singhu border
The Special Cell traced the three through CCTV footage after slogans appeared on walls on 6 September. Police say one of the accused was in contact with Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.
Three men have been arrested in Punjab over allegedly writing objectionable slogans and painting pro-Khalistan graffiti at the Singhu border, police said on Saturday. Investigators allege the three acted on the directions of Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a designated terrorist.
The slogans and graffiti were found on walls at the Singhu border on 6 September. Delhi Police's Special Cell registered a first information report and opened an investigation.
How the three were traced
Investigators analysed CCTV footage from the Singhu border and followed the movements it showed, police sources said. The trail led to Faridkot in Punjab, where the three were arrested.
They have been identified as Preetpal, Harminder Singh and Sheeshpal. The car allegedly used in carrying out the graffiti has also been recovered.
The footage, the traced movements and the recovered vehicle are the physical elements police have described so far.
The alleged direction
Police sources said Preetpal was allegedly in direct contact with Pannun, who had instructed him to write the slogans on walls near the Singhu border.
Pannun heads Sikhs for Justice, a banned pro-Khalistan organisation. According to police sources, he claimed responsibility for the incident in a post on X.
A case under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act is already registered against Preetpal, police added.
These are allegations at the investigation stage. None of the three has been tried, and the accounts of Pannun's role come from police sources rather than from material placed before a court.
The Pakistan line of inquiry
Investigators are also examining whether Preetpal was in contact with terror operatives based in Pakistan, sources said. That inquiry is described as ongoing, and no finding has been stated.
Where the questioning is happening
The three are being questioned at Alipur police station by teams from the Special Cell and the Intelligence Bureau.
Police have not set out how the two agencies have divided the inquiry.
The location
The graffiti appeared on 6 September, a few days before the 18th BRICS summit opened in New Delhi. The report did not state whether investigators have linked the two, and police have not said so.
What comes next
A UAPA case against Preetpal is already registered. The status of the other two was not stated.
Police have not said whether they will seek further custody, nor whether additional arrests are expected. The recovery of the vehicle suggests the physical evidence has been secured; the open questions are the ones about direction and contact, which are the harder parts of a case of this kind to establish.
ThePrint carried the report from PTI news service on Saturday.
