NAWANSHAHR — a Special UAPA Court in Nawanshahr has pronounced its verdict in a nearly nine-year-old case, acquitting seven individuals of all stringent charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
The verdict was delivered by Judge Harish Anand of the Special UAPA Court regarding FIR No. 44, registered on June 5, 2017, at the Mukandpur Police Station. The original charges were framed under Sections 120-B, 121, and 121-A of the IPC, Section 25 of the Arms Act, and Sections 10, 13, 15, 16, 17, and 18 of the UAPA.
Providing information regarding the court verdict, Advocate Jaspal Singh Manjhpur, Head of Panjaab Lawyers, noted the comprehensive dismissal of the terror and conspiracy charges.
Advocate Jaspal Manjhpur stated, “The court has entirely acquitted Gurmukh Singh Talwandi Nahar, Jagminder Singh alias Hari Singh Karnal, Satnam Singh Lakhimpur Kheri, and Harpreet Singh Makhanwindi of all charges across all sections.” All four of these individuals were already out on bail.
The court also ruled on the remaining three accused—Gurjit Singh Ghaint, Balwant Singh, and Jaswant Singh. While they were completely acquitted of all major conspiracy and terror charges under the IPC (120-B, 121, 121-A) and UAPA (10, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18), they were convicted solely under Section 25 of the Arms Act. For this specific charge, they have been sentenced to two years of imprisonment and fined Rs. 5,000 each. Currently, Gurjit Singh Ghaint is out on bail, whereas Balwant Singh is lodged in Nabha Jail and Jaswant Singh is in Muktsar Sahib Jail.
The information provided by Advocate Jaspal Singh Manjhpur sheds light on the prolonged incarceration of some of the arrested persons. Jaswant Singh and Balwant Singh had been arrested in August 2017 and remained in custody for this case. Notably, the High Court had previously denied bail to Jaswant Singh, whereas the other arrested persons had successfully secured bail. Furthermore, Balwant Singh was previously sentenced to life imprisonment in 2025 by the NIA Court in Punjab in connection with a 2019 drone arms-drop case.
A written release by Panjaab Lawyers notes that two other individuals originally named in this case, Malkit Singh Fauji and Manvir Singh Duhre, have been officially declared proclaimed offenders by the court.
The extensive legal defense and trial proceedings for this case were pursued with the active support of the Sikh Legal Assistance Board.
