Indian High Commission vandalism in UK: Police lodge UAPA case

“Taking cognizance of the report, a case under appropriate sections of the IPC, UAPA and the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act was lodged by the Special Cell Thursday,” said the officer.

Police said a probe has been initiated by the Northern Range of Special Cell pertaining to the same as it involves “unlawful activities carried out by certain persons holding Indian nationality abroad”.

Sources in NIA said, “There are possibilities they might take over the case from Delhi Police as there is a terror link connected to Pakistan’s ISI; the MHA will take a call in the coming days”.

In an incident caught on video, a group of protesters, on March 19, vandalised the windows at the Indian High Commission and shouted pro-Khalistani slogans. The protesters attempted to enter the High Commission and one of them climbed onto the balcony and brought down the Indian flag.

In a press statement, the MEA had stated that India finds unacceptable the indifference of the UK government to the security of Indian diplomatic premises and personnel in the UK. In the statement, the MEA had added: “It is expected that the UK Government would take immediate steps to identify, arrest and prosecute each one of those involved in today’s incident, and put in place stringent measures to prevent the recurrence of such incidents.”

On March 22, the Delhi Police removed security barricades from outside the British High Commission premises and the British High Commissioner’s residence in the national capital.

While there was no official word from the government on the removal of the cement barriers, Delhi Police officers had said 12 barricades were removed from both locations in Chanakyapuri. The action was taken on directions from the police headquarters, sources had said.