SFJ was declared banned outfit by India in July 2019
Staff Reporter
Nov 09, 2021
A three-member team of the National Investigation Agency (NIA), which had gone to Canada, has placed a formal request with the Canadian authorities to declare Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) a “terrorist organisation” in their country.
It is to be noted here that the SFJ was declared banned outfit by the Indian Government in July 2019 under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) for its involvement in promoting secessionism and violent extremism in Punjab.
A senior official said, “A formal request to this effect has been made during the NIA team’s visit to Canada.” He added the purpose of the visit was to impress upon the Canadian authorities for faster execution of requests made under the mutual legal assistance treaty (MLAT).
“The visit was for better coordination in the investigation against entities and individuals suspected of indulging in terrorism and to discuss other criminal matters,” a source said.
The Indian High Commission in Canada issued a press release which stated that the NIA team led by an Inspector General of Police held detailed discussions with senior RCMP officials to collate evidence on several ongoing investigations into cases of terrorism and other serious crimes in order to bring about successful prosecution of the accused in both India and Canada. NIA and RCMP officials also discussed issues related to evidentiary requirements in India and Canada and possible cooperation for capacity building in police investigation between the two agencies. The NIA delegation held additional meetings with the International Crime and Counterterrorism Bureau of Global Affairs Canada and with senior officials from the International Affairs Division of Public Safety Canada, with a view to deepening and expanding India-Canada collaboration on counter-terrorism and interdiction of global terrorist financing.
India and Canada share common views on the need for strong concerted action against global terrorism and for curtailing terror financing. The police and security agencies of the two countries pursue investigation, prosecution, and suppression of crime, including crime related to terrorism, through cooperation and mutual assistance in criminal matters. The two countries have a range of ongoing bilateral mechanisms including a Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism. The two countries had signed a treaty on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters in 1994 and have had an Extradition Treaty since 1987.