Sector 10 attack: Centre nod to prosecute key accused under UAPA

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has granted sanction to prosecute Abhijot Singh, alias Babba, alias Gopi, key accused in the Chandigarh’s Sector 10 grenade attack case, under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (UAPA).

The attack was masterminded by foreign-based Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) terrorists.

Prosecution had filed an application for placing on record the original sanction order under Section 45 of the UAPA against accused Abhijot Singh in an NIA court, which was allowed.

Abhijot, a Punjab resident who was arrested in April for his involvement in the attack, has been charged in the supplementary chargesheet filed before a special NIA court in Chandigarh recently.

The attack, which targeted a retired Punjab Police officer, was part of a conspiracy to spread fear in society. The conspiracy was orchestrated by Pakistan-based BKI terrorist Harwinder Singh alias Rinda, in collusion with US-based gangster Happy Passia.

As per NIA investigations, Passia was responsible for the recruitment and funding, and providing weapons and explosives to India-based operatives.

Both Rinda and Passia were chargesheeted as absconders, along with two arrested accused, Rohan Masih and Vishal Masih, in March last year.

During the investigation, the NIA identified Abhijot as a co-conspirator in the case, leading to his arrest.

Investigations revealed that Abhijot had travelled to Armenia in December 2023, where he came in contact with Passia’s terror node Shamsher Shera. Shera had recruited Abhijot into Passia’s terror gang.

The NIA said following his return to India last year, Abhijot conducted a recce of the target in July 2024. He, along with Rohan, attempted to kill the retired officer in August 2024. Abhitoj had received funds from foreign-based BKI handlers for the job.

In September 2024, Rohan and Vishal carried out the grenade attack, which was intended to target the officer, whom the assailants believed to be the occupant of the Sector 10 house.

On September 11, 2024, a grenade was hurled at the Sector 10 house. Initially, the Chandigarh Police carried out the investigation. The case was later transferred to the NIA.

The NIA had sent mobile data of the accused to the Central Forensic and Science Lab (CFSL). The CFSL investigation revealed that these accused had links with foreign-based terrorists.

Abhijot was produced through video conferencing by the authorities of Central Jail, Hoshiarpur.

The NIA has been probing the wider angle of the conspiracy and also how weapons and explosives were smuggled across the border.

Chandigarh