The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has filed a new case against Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the US-based general counsel of the banned group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), accusing him of attempting to incite Sikh soldiers to prevent Prime Minister Narendra Modi from hoisting the Indian national flag at the Red Fort on Independence Day.

In a video address from Washington, Pannun reportedly offered a reward of ₹11 crore to “Sikh soldiers” who would stop Modi from unfurling the tricolour at the historic ceremony.  He also unveiled a map for a proposed “Khalistan” during the address, claiming it would include Punjab, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.

According to the FIR, Pannun’s statements and actions amount to “disrupting sovereignty, territorial integrity and security of India” and “spreading disaffection among Sikhs against India.”  The NIA has registered the case under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

The registration of the case came after a directive from the Union Home Ministry, which cited the “gravity of the offence, its national and international ramifications and the need to unearth the larger conspiracy” as reasons for an NIA probe.  The FIR names Gurpatwant Singh Pannun and “other unknown persons” as accused.