NIA files chargesheet against two BKI operatives in VHP leader’s murder case

NEW DELHI: The National Investigation Agency on Friday filed a chargesheet against two terror operations of banned Khalistani outfit

Babbar Khalsa International

(BKI) in connection with the murder of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Vikas Prabhakar @ Vikas Bagga in Punjab’s Roopnagar district.
Dharminder Kumar @ Kunal and Dubai-based absconding accused Harwinder Kumar @ Sonu have been charged under various sections of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, Indian Penal Code and the Arms Act.
Vikas Bagga was shot dead by BKI terrorists at his confectionary shop at Nangal in district Roopnagar on April 13, 2024 as part of a conspiracy to carry out targeted killings. The conspiracy involved members of the BKI module based in various countries, and was hatched on the directives of Pakistan-based BKI chief Wadhawa Singh Babbar by Germany-based accused Harjit Singh @ Laddi and Kulbeer Singh @ Sidhu.
NIA, which took over investigation of the case from Punjab Police on May 9, 2024, had earlier chargesheeted Kulbeer, Laddi, Wadhawa Singh and arrested shooters Mandeep Kumar @ Mangli and Surinder Kumar @ Rikka.

NIA investigations so far have revealed that Laddi and Sidhu had recruited members into their terror gang and provided them with logistical support, funds and arms to carry out the targeted killing. It further found that accused Harwinder Kumar @ Sonu, a native of Nawanshahr (Punjab), had played a crucial role in transferring funds into India and arranging weapons for the crime. Along with Laddi and accused Kulbeer Singh @ Sidhu of Yamunanagar (Haryana), Sonu had provided funds to arrested accused Dharminder Kumar @ Kunal for the procurement of the weapons used in the crime. Kunal, hailing from Uttar Pradesh and residing in Ludhiana, had procured the weapons from a supplier in Madhya Pradesh, said NIA.