TORONTO (Diya TV) — Canada’s Federal Court of Appeal has upheld a decision to maintain two alleged Khalistan supporters on the country’s no-fly list, citing concerns over their potential involvement in terrorism activities.
Bhagat Singh Brar and Parvkar Singh Dulai, also known as Parry Dullai, had appealed against their inclusion on the list after being prevented from boarding flights in Vancouver in 2018. The court’s ruling, based on undisclosed security information, affirmed that there were reasonable grounds to suspect the men intended to use air travel for terrorist purposes.
According to The Globe and Mail, this week’s decision reaffirmed a previous ruling that upheld the constitutionality of Canada’s Secure Air Travel Act. The legislation empowers the public safety minister to restrict individuals from flying if there are reasonable suspicions of threats to transportation security or intent to commit terrorism through air travel.
Brar and Dulai argued that their placement on the no-fly list violated their rights under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. However, the court determined the law to be justified and concluded that the confidential aspects of the legal proceedings were conducted fairly.
Judge David Stratas, writing for the three-judge panel, underscored the delicate balance between individual rights and national security imperatives. He stressed the government’s profound interest in preventing terrorism and maintaining public safety, suggesting that legislative measures allowing for such security precautions were warranted.
The court’s decision coincides with recent parliamentary recognition in Canada of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, highlighting ongoing concerns about Khalistan-related terrorism. Parry Dullai has close ties to NDP leader Jagmeet Singh, who oversees “Channel Punjabi” in Surrey and “Global TV” in Chandigarh.
Sources reveal that Bhagat Singh Brar is the son of Lakhbir Singh Brar, also known as Lakhbir Singh Rode, a prominent figure in the Khalistan movement who led the International Sikh Youth Federation and had links to the Khalistan Zindabad Force.
Brar currently serves as the General Secretary of the Ontario Gurudwara Committee, is associated with the ISYF-R (Canada Chapter), and holds a position in the Jot Prakash Gurdwara Committee. His affiliations underscore broader community concerns about the implications of the no-fly list decisions.
The Federal Court of Appeal’s ruling represents a significant legal precedent regarding the balance between security measures and civil liberties in Canada’s fight against terrorism. The decision affirmed the government’s authority to use preventative measures against suspected threats, even as it acknowledged the importance of ensuring fair judicial processes and respecting individual rights under the law.
