Biography:Avtar Singh Khanda
Avtar Singh Khanda | |
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| Born | Moga, Punjab, India |
| Died | 15 June 2023 City Hospital, Birmingham, England |
| Occupation | 9th Jathedar of Khalistan Liberation Force |
Avtar Singh Khanda (died 15 June 2023) was a Sikh activist raised in Moga, Punjab, India and living in the United Kingdom.
Death and investigation
He died in City Hospital, Birmingham on 15 June 2023, aged 35, following a diagnosis of acute myeloid leukemia. Doubts were raised about the circumstances of his death in light of allegations surrounding the involvement of the Indian government in the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, another Khalistani separatist. Khanda's father Kulwant Singh Khukhrana, a well known Khalistani died when Avtar was a few years old.[1] Widely reported attributed his decline, from apparent health to hospitalization and death within days, to poisoning. The West Midland Police concluded there were "no suspicious circumstances" surrounding his death. The Government of India has denied any involvement in his death.[2][3]
Khanda's family, represented by the barrister Michael Polak, have called for an inquest to be held.[3]
References
- ↑ Kant, Aditya (15 June 2023). "Who was Kulwant Singh Khukhrana, Avtar Singh Khanda's father?" (in en). https://www.thestatesman.com/india/who-was-kulwant-singh-khukhrana-avtar-singh-khandas-father-1503190311.html.
- ↑ "Thousands to attend funeral of Sikh activist - but not one family member will be present". https://news.sky.com/story/thousands-to-attend-funeral-of-sikh-activist-but-not-one-family-member-will-be-present-12938108.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Kirchgaessner, Stephanie; Sabbagh, Dan (2 October 2023). "Family of Sikh activist calls for inquest into Midlands hospital death". The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/oct/02/family-of-sikh-activist-calls-for-inquest-into-midlands-hospital-death.
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