India
Three Arrested for Pro‑Khalistan Graffiti Targeting Diljit Dosanjh at Delhi Metro Stations
Three people, including a woman, were arrested on Sunday for allegedly writing pro‑Khalistan slogans at two Delhi Metro stations, police said. The graffiti also carried a message targeting singer Diljit Dosanjh, who performed in New Delhi on Friday as part of his Aura India Tour. The marks were found at Jahangirpuri and Shastri Nagar stations on October 29 and 30, respectively. Police said the accused were promised substantial financial rewards for defacing public property in prominent locations in Delhi.
The arrested persons are Sumeet alias Raftar (30), a resident of Panipat in Haryana, and Sumit Kumar alias Kaka (22) and Gurpreet (22), both from Punjab. According to Deputy Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) Narra Chaitanya, Sumit Kumar was allegedly the main instigator. Sumeet painted slogans near Gate No. 1 of Jahangirpuri station and recorded a video of the act to send to his handlers. Kumar and Gurpreet defaced a staircase wall near Gate No. 2 of Shastri Nagar station.
In both instances, the graffiti read "Diljit Singh quam d gaddar khoon d badla SFJ Khalistan", expressing support for the banned separatist organisation Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) and Khalistan ideology. Police said the acts defaced public property and posed a threat to public order and national integrity.
Investigators found that Sumit Kumar had been in contact with SFJ sympathisers in Ludhiana and Gurdaspur before an associate instructed him to download an encrypted messaging application. A member linked to SFJ allegedly shared graffiti templates through the app and offered him financial rewards for carrying out the activity at prominent Metro stations. Kumar then recruited Gurpreet and Sumeet to execute the plan. The trio travelled to Delhi on October 28, visited ISBT Kashmere Gate on October 29, and reached the stations on the dates mentioned.
Police also alleged that Kumar had painted graffiti near the GTK Bypass, under the jurisdiction of Samaypur Badli police station, on October 30; that incident is being investigated separately.
Two FIRs were registered at the Metro Azadpur and Metro NSP police stations under Section 3 of the Delhi Prevention of Defacement of Public Property Act, 2007, and Section 62(2) of the Metro Railway (Operation and Maintenance) Act, 2002. Further investigation is underway to identify other persons involved in the network and establish the role of the handlers behind the alleged operation.
Frequently asked questions
Who were the arrested individuals and what were their ages and origins?
Sumeet alias Raftar (30) from Panipat, Haryana; Sumit Kumar alias Kaka (22) and Gurpreet (22) from Punjab.
Where and when were the graffiti marks found?
At Jahangirpuri station on October 29 and Shastri Nagar station on October 30.
What slogans were painted on the graffiti?
"Diljit Singh quam d gaddar khoon d badla SFJ Khalistan".