The Indian Ministry of Home Affairs recently declared Canada-based Satwinder Singh, also known as Goldy Brar, as an “individual terrorist” under the anti-terror law, the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (UAPA). The declaration is based on Brar’s alleged associations with the recognized terrorist organisation, Babbar Khalsa International, which is based in Pakistan. The official notification can be found here.
The notification alleges that Brar, currently living in Brampton, Canada, is connected to several killings and has expressed radical ideologies on various social media platforms. Brar, it is charged, threatens pro-nationalist leaders, demands ransoms, and is involved in the smuggling of arms and explosives. He is even accused of planning to disrupt peace, communal harmony, and law and order in the Indian state of Punjab.
According to reports, Brar organised the murder of singer Shubhdeep Singh Sidhu, known by his stage name Sidhu Moosewala, who was shot dead in the Mansa district of Punjab in 2022. He apparently conspired with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang to kill the singer in retaliation for the death of Youth Akali leader Vicky Middukhera. Brar allegedly went so far as to admit guilt for the act on Facebook.
On the request of India’s Central Bureau of Investigation, Interpol issued a Red Corner Notice for Goldy Brar. This notice is a call to the global law enforcement community to locate and provisionally arrest a person, pending extradition, surrender, or similar legal action. In 2023, a special operation was enacted by Punjab police to apprehend individuals associated with Brar.
Brar moved to Canada in 2017 on a student visa and is believed to have orchestrated his alleged activities of extortion and contract killings from there. In 2023, he appeared on a “top 25 wanted list” issued by Canadian police, ranking fifteenth. Furthermore, he has been accused of killing Youth Congress President of Faridkot Gurlal Singh Bhullar.
The inclusion of Goldy Brar in the “terrorist” list of UAPA’s Fourth Schedule brings the total number of individuals on the list to 56. The terrorist designation, however, doesn’t impose any specific sanctions. Affected individuals can appeal for the removal of the designation under Chapter 6, Section 36 of UAPA, and if the appeal is rejected, they can seek a review which will be presented to a review committee.