Gurpatwant Singh Pannun is a lawyer, activist, and public figure who is one of the main leaders of the Khalistan movement, which seeks to create a separate homeland for Sikhs by establishing a sovereign state called Khalistan in the Punjab region of India and its neighboring areas.
He is the founder and legal advisor of Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), a US-based group that advocates for the cause of Khalistan and files lawsuits against Indian officials and institutions for alleged human rights violations against Sikhs.
He is also a designated terrorist by the Government of India and faces several criminal charges, including sedition, in Punjab. In this article, we will explore his life, background, activities, controversies, and net worth.
Age, Bio & Education
Gurpatwant Singh Pannun was born in Khankot village, Amritsar, Punjab, India. His family migrated to India from Pakistan after the partition of 1947.
Pannun completed his schooling in Punjab and then graduated in law from Panjab University. He then moved to the US, where he obtained a master’s degree in law from Touro Law College in New York and an MBA from the University of Hartford. He started his legal career as an attorney in the US and Canada.
Family, Parents & Siblings
- His father was Mohinder Singh Pannun, who was a retired employee of the Punjab State Agricultural Marketing Board. He migrated to India from Pakistan after the partition of 1947. He passed away in 2015.
- His mother was Amarjit Kaur, who was a homemaker. She also died in 2015.
- He has two siblings, one of whom is Mangwant Singh Pannun, who migrated to the US along with Gurpatwant. Mangwant is also a lawyer and a supporter of the Khalistan movement.
- His other sibling’s name and details are not known.
- His paternal cousin was Diljit Singh Pannun, who was a diplomat and served as the High Commissioner to Ghana from 1992 to 1997 and the Ambassador to Madagascar from 2005 to 2007. He died in 2018.
Career and Activities
Pannun founded Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) in 2007 in New York, USA, with the aim of seeking justice for the victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots in India that followed the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by her Sikh bodyguards. SFJ also promotes the idea of a separate Sikh state called Khalistan, which means “land of the pure” or “land of the Khalsa”, the collective body of initiated Sikhs.
Pannun has been actively involved in lobbying for the cause of Khalistan and organizing events and rallies in different parts of the world, including the US, Canada, and the UK. He has also been involved in filing lawsuits against Indian officials and institutions in international courts, alleging human rights violations against Sikhs. Some of his notable lawsuits are:
- In 2011, he filed a lawsuit against Kamal Nath, a leader of the Indian National Congress (INC), in a US local court, accusing him of being involved in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots in India. However, the court dismissed the case, stating that the riots had no impact on the US.
- In 2013, he filed an amended class action complaint against Sonia Gandhi, the president of INC and widow of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, alleging her involvement in protecting individuals linked to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. The complaint was dismissed in 2014 on the grounds of lacking subject matter jurisdiction and failure to state a valid claim.
- In 2014, he filed a petition in a US court against Manmohan Singh, the former Prime Minister of India, accusing him of playing a major role in financing the groups responsible for suppressing the Sikh community in India during his tenure as the country’s Finance Minister in the 1990s.
- In 2015, he initiated a campaign urging for the release of Jagtar Singh Hawara, who was involved in the assassination of Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh in 1995.
- In 2016, he filed a lawsuit against Parkash Singh Badal, the former Chief Minister of Punjab, alleging his involvement in extrajudicial killings and torture of Sikhs in Punjab.
- In 2018, he filed a lawsuit against Amitabh Bachchan, a Bollywood superstar and close friend of Indira Gandhi’s family, alleging his involvement in inciting violence against Sikhs during the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.
Pannun has also claimed responsibility for various terror incidents in India. In April 2023, he issued a threat to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Assam. In June 2023, he went into hiding after the death of three other prominent Khalistani leaders in two months.
In July 2023, he resurfaced in a video claimed to be shot near the UN headquarters in New York, USA. In this video, he claimed responsibility for the posters calling for killing Indian diplomats across North America and Europe and said that he would lead Khalsa Panth to get the flag of Khalistan hoisted on the UN HQ. In September 2023, he threatened Indo-Canadian Hindus and advised them to leave Canada.
Controversies and Legal Issues
Pannun has been facing several controversies and legal issues for his activities and statements. Some of them are:
- In 2020, he was declared a designated terrorist by the Government of India, and his agricultural land was attached under Section 51A of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. He is facing 22 criminal cases, including three of sedition, in Punjab, India.
- In 2020, he was banned from entering the UK for his involvement in anti-India activities and inciting violence.
- In 2021, he was accused of being the mastermind behind the farmers’ protests that escalated into violence in New Delhi. He also offered a cash reward of USD 2.5 lacs to individuals who raised the Khalistani flag on the Red Fort in New Delhi during the Republic Day celebrations.
- In 2022, Interpol rejected India’s second request to issue a Red Corner Notice on terror charges against him, on the grounds of insufficient information.
- In 2023, he was involved in a diplomatic spat between India and Canada over the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Khalistani separatist based in Canada. He expressed his support to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and urged for the closure of the Indian High Commission and consulates in Canada.
Is Gurpatwant Singh Pannun Alive?
According to the web search results, there are conflicting reports about the status of Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the founder of Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) and a designated terrorist by the Government of India. Some sources claim that he is dead, while others claim that he is alive and has issued threats to Indian diplomats.
As of now, there is no official confirmation or evidence to verify either claim. Therefore, it is not possible to say with certainty whether Gurpatwant Singh Pannun is alive or not.
Net Worth and Lifestyle
Pannun has an estimated net worth of between USD 1 million to USD 5 million. He earns his income from his legal practice and donations from his supporters. He lives a luxurious lifestyle in New York, USA, where he owns a house on the 59th floor of the Empire State Building.
He also owns property worth crores in Punjab, India. He is active on social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, where he posts videos and messages related to his cause.
Who is Gurpatwant Singh Pannun’s Wife?
Pannun’s marital status is not known. He has not revealed any information about his wife or children. He follows the Sikhism religion and belongs to the Jat caste. He is fluent in Punjabi, Hindi, and English languages.
Citizenship & Residence
According to the web search results, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun is a US citizen and currently resides in New York, USA. He was born in Khankot village, Amritsar, Punjab, India, and migrated to the US after completing his law degree from Punjab University.
He is the founder and legal advisor of Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), a group that advocates for the creation of a separate Sikh state called Khalistan in India. He is also a designated terrorist by the Government of India and faces several criminal charges in Punjab.
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How Gurpatwant Singh Pannun Became the Top Enemy of India’s Security Forces
This news is about the security situation in India, where a pro-Khalistan lawyer and activist named Gurpatwant Singh Pannun is being targeted by the security forces for his involvement in various terror incidents and controversies. He is the founder and legal advisor of Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), a US-based group that advocates for the creation of a separate Sikh state called Khalistan in the Punjab region of India and its neighboring areas.
He is also a designated terrorist by the Government of India and faces 22 criminal cases, including three of sedition, in Punjab. He has been accused of filing lawsuits against Indian officials and institutions for alleged human rights violations against Sikhs, posting videos and posters calling for damaging India, Indians, and their diplomats, and offering cash rewards to individuals who raised the Khalistani flag on the Red Fort in New Delhi, and claiming responsibility for the posters calling for killing Indian diplomats across North America and Europe.
He is also suspected of being behind the killing of three other prominent Khalistani leaders in two months. He is currently operating from Canada, where he has recently held a referendum on the question of Khalistan and announced another round of the same to be held on October 29, 2023.
BIO/WIKI
| Name | Gurpatwant Singh Pannun |
| Age | 45 years old (estimated) |
| Date of Birth | Not known |
| Place of Birth | Khankot village, Amritsar, Punjab, India |
| Nationality | American |
| Hometown | New York, USA |
| School | He completed his schooling in Punjab |
| College/University | Punjab University |
| Educational Qualification | Graduation in Law |
| Religion | Sikhism |
| Address | House No. 350-05 AVE, 59th Floor Empire State Building, New York, USA |
| Parents | Father- Mohinder Singh Pannun (deceased) Mother- Amarjit Kaur (deceased) |
| Siblings | He has two siblings. His brother’s name is Mangwant Singh who migrated to the US along with Gurpatwant |
| Other Relatives | Paternal Cousin- Diljit Singh Pannun (decease) |
| Height (approx.) | in centimeters- 170 cm in meters- 1.70 m in feet & inches- 5’ 7” |
| Eye Colour | Dark Brown |
| Hair Colour | Salt and Pepper |
| Profession(s) | Lawyer, Khalistani Terrorist |
| Known for | Promoting the creation of a religion-based Sikh nation carved out from Punjab and many neighbouring areas in India, to be known as Khalistan |
| Notable work | Filing lawsuits against Indian officials and institutions for alleged human rights violations against Sikhs posting videos and posters calling for damaging India, Indians, and their diplomats |
Conclusion
Gurpatwant Singh Pannun is a lawyer and activist who is one of the main leaders of the Khalistan movement. He is the founder and legal advisor of Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), a US-based group that advocates for the cause of Khalistan and files lawsuits against Indian officials and institutions for alleged human rights violations against Sikhs.
He is also a designated terrorist by the Government of India and faces several criminal charges, including sedition, in Punjab. He has been involved in various terror incidents and controversies related to his activities and statements. He has an estimated net worth of between USD 1 million to USD 5 million and lives a luxurious lifestyle in New York, USA. His marital status is not known.
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