LONDON (Diya TV) — A 26-year-old pro-Khalistan Sikh activist, Gurpreet Singh, has been sentenced to 28 months in prison for injuring two Indian-origin men and a female police officer during an Indian Independence Day event in west London last year. Singh pleaded guilty to unlawful wounding and causing actual bodily harm to the victims, as well as affray.
Appearing at Isleworth Crown Court, Singh admitted to stabbing Aashish Sharma and Nanak Singh with his kirpan, a religious dagger, and assaulting Police Constable Justine Nicolle Farrell. The incident, which took place in Southall on August 15, saw clashes between pro-Khalistan extremists and law enforcement officers.
The court heard that Singh, an Indian national, carried the kirpan as a weapon during the event, leading to injuries to the victims. Despite being lawful to carry for religious purposes, the judge emphasized that the kirpan should not be used as an offensive weapon.
Judge Kwame Inyundo described Singh’s actions as “premeditated with hostile intent to provoke public disorder,” noting that he was motivated by hostility towards the presumed characteristics of his victims.
The altercation occurred during celebrations for Indian Independence Day, where a group of Indian-origin individuals were waving the Indian flag. Singh and other Khalistan supporters confronted them, resulting in a confrontation that turned violent.
PC Justine Farrell intervened in the altercation and suffered minor injuries from Singh’s kirpan. While Singh pleaded guilty to the charges, the court also considered his immigration status, as he arrived in the UK as a student in 2020 and later applied for asylum.
Prosecutor Lauren Bates-Brownsword highlighted the risk of Singh’s actions undermining the lawful dispensation for Sikhs to carry kirpans for religious reasons. However, Singh’s defense attorney, Philip Romans, argued that Singh’s actions were impulsive and not premeditated.
