Image Source: JBT
Britian: For the first time, Britain has taken direct action under its domestic counter-terrorism system against Gurpreet Singh Rehal. Rehal is a businessman based in Britain and has been associated with a sports investment company named Punjab Warriors. The same company was in discussion about the possible takeover of England's football club Morecambe FC. Britain's Finance Ministry, HM Treasury, says that there are serious allegations against Rehal.
According to the investigating agencies, he was found to be linked to a network linked to the Khalistani terrorist organization Babbar Khalsa, banned in India. It is alleged that he was not only helping Babbar Khalsa and its associated organization Babbar Akali Lehar in raising funds, but was also involved in their publicity and recruitment activities.
The government claims that Rehal's role was not limited to just sympathy. They were actively involved in activities that could provide economic and strategic support to these organizations. For this reason, Britain has taken strict action against him and has frozen his assets and banned him from doing any kind of financial transaction. This action is being considered historic in the sense that for the first time Britain has used its domestic anti-terrorism laws directly on an individual or organization, and that too for activities that were not being conducted on British soil but outside it. The government says such a step was also necessary to send a message that Britain will not tolerate the use of its land or its financial system for any extremist or terrorist network.
Under the sanctions imposed by the government, all the funds and economic resources present in Britain in the name of Rehal and Babbar Akali Lehar have been frozen. No British citizen or company is now allowed to do business with them, provide financial services or raise funds for them, unless they obtain a special license from HM Treasury. Along with this, Rehal has also been banned from becoming a director of any company, managing a company or forming a new company.
According to HM Treasury, Babbar Akali Lehar has been identified as an organization that is linked to the terrorist activities of Babbar Khalsa and furthers its agenda. Britain assesses that this organization promotes, openly garners support and helps in recruitment for Babbar Khalsa. That is why it has also been included in the sanction list under the same domestic counter-terrorism regime.
After the sanction, England's National League club Morecambe FC has distanced itself from Rehal. The club said that Rehal was a consultant associated with their owners group Punjab Warriors, but as soon as information about the government's action was received, all professional relations with him were terminated. According to British media reports, this matter has now come under the scrutiny of the football regulator and other agencies.
Britain has made it clear that this is the first such use of its Domestic Counter-Terrorism Regime, the purpose of which is to directly cut off the funding of the Pro-Khalistan terrorist network. This sends a message that if any person or organization in Britain helps in funding, propaganda or recruitment for groups promoting terrorism in India, then not only criminal investigation but also economic sanctions will be imposed on them.
India has long been expressing concern about pro-Khalistani activities in countries like Canada, America and Britain. Now this strict action of London is being considered as a sign of sensitivity towards those complaints of New Delhi. Experts believe that if concrete action continues in such cases, then the money and support network going from abroad to Khalistani organizations can be curbed. Besides, India-UK security cooperation and intelligence partnership can also be strengthened by this.
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