Early Times Report
Jammu, Sept 21: Amid ongoing Canada controversy, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday released the pictures of 10 wanted accused in the March 2023 case of attack and vandalism at the Indian Consulate in San Francisco, USA. The NIA also sought information about them from the general public. The agency has issued three separate “request for identification and information” notices against the wanted accused, seeking any information of importance that could lead to their arrest or apprehension. While two of the notices carry photographs of two accused each, the third notice shows pictures of the other six accused allegedly involved in the case RC-18/2023/NIA/DLI. The agency has promised not to reveal the identity of anyone sharing information on the accused. The attack on the Indian Consulate in San Francisco took place on the intervening night of 18th and 19th March 2023 when some pro-Khalistani entities trespassed into the consulate and tried to burn down the Consulate. On the same day, slogan-shouting Khalistani supporters had broken through the makeshift security barriers raised by the city police and put up two so-called Khalistani flags on the Consulate premises, damaged the consulate building, assaulted and caused injuries to the consulate officials. Further in the intervening night of 1st and 2nd July, some accused persons trespassed into the consulate and attempted to set the consulate on fire while consulate officials were inside the building. The NIA had initiated a probe in the matter after registering a case on 16th June 2023 under sections 109, 120-B, 147, 148,149, 323,436,448 & 452 of IPC, section 13 of UA (P) Act and section3(1) ofPrevention of Damage to Public Property Act. A team of NIA visited San Francisco in the month of August for the investigation of the said case. |