• By Abhirupa Kundu
  • Thu, 21 Sep 2023 03:37 PM (IST)
  • Source:JND
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Amid rising tensions around Khalistani extremism, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday released a list of 10 wanted accused in the case of attack and vandalism at the Indian Consulate in San Francisco, United States. Releasing pictures of the wanted criminals, the probe agency in a statement sought information about them from the public. 

The attack on the  Indian Consulate in San Francisco took place in March 2023 on the intervening night of 18th and 19th March 2023 during which some pro-Khalistani extremists entered the consulate premises and attempted to set it on fire. 

"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 in the Consulate premises, damaged the consulate building, assaulted and caused injuries to the consulate officials. Further, on 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 statement read. 

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"The agency has issued three separate "Request for Identification & 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," it added.

 

The probe agency 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 the Indian Penal Code (IPC), section 13 of UA (P) Act and section 3(1) of Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act.

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A team of NIA visited San Francisco in August for the investigation of the case.