Khalistani Leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun Backs Harjinder Singh In Florida Fatal Crash Case

Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a known Khalistani terrorist, is now advocating for Harjinder Singh, a truck driver from Punjab. Harjinder Singh is accused of causing a fatal accident in Florida by making an illegal U-turn. He faces three charges of vehicular homicide and was working illegally in the United States.

Pannun, who also practices law, met with Harjinder Singh and addressed the media outside St. Lucie County Jail. According to WPBF News, he expressed that Harjinder is remorseful and wishes he could undo his mistake. CBS News quoted Pannun saying, "I saw sorrow, he's grieving, he very much wants to go back in time and hope that this misjudgement would never have happened."

Political Angle and Legal Status

Despite not officially representing Harjinder Singh, Pannun has spoken out in his favour. He criticised the focus on Harjinder's immigration status rather than the tragedy itself. "There have been three lives that have been lost. We should all be grieving with the family, supporting the families and helping the families. Instead, it has become some political debate about Harjinder's political status, about his actions," Pannun added.

The incident occurred on August 12 when Harjinder Singh made an illegal U-turn while driving a tractor-trailer on Florida Turnpike. This resulted in the death of three individuals as confirmed by US authorities.

Immigration Concerns

Authorities revealed that Singh entered California unlawfully in 2018 and obtained a commercial driver's licence there. Many illegal immigrants claim persecution based on religion or politics to avoid deportation to India. Pannun has similarly labelled Singh as "pro-Khalistani" to support his case.

Pannun himself left India in 2018 due to fears of religious and political persecution because of his pro-Khalistani stance. He has used this narrative to defend others like Harjinder Singh facing deportation.

Public Reaction

An online petition demanding Harjinder Singh's release has gained momentum since his arrest, amassing 1.6 million signatures so far. Meanwhile, India has declared Pannun a terrorist due to his activities with Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), an outlawed organisation.

Pannun frequently issues threats against religious events such as Mahakumbh and Ram Mandir consecration ceremonies. His involvement in defending Harjinder Singh adds another layer of complexity to this case.

The situation highlights ongoing issues surrounding illegal immigration and political asylum claims in countries like the US, UK, and Canada. Such cases often involve claims of persecution which complicate legal proceedings.