World · South & Central Asia · 2 hrs ago
Delhi court drops flag-law charge against UK national but orders UAPA charges
A Delhi court has discharged UK national Inderpal Singh Gaba from a charge of insulting the Indian flag over an alleged act in London.
The court said the law on insulting national symbols does not apply to an alleged offence committed abroad by a foreign national.
The case concerns protests outside India’s High Commission in London on March 19 and 22, 2023, when protesters pulled down the Indian flag and tried to raise a Khalistani flag.
The National Investigation Agency says Gaba took part in the March 22 protest, where he allegedly stood on the Indian flag.
The court ordered charges against him under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, finding grounds to treat his alleged conduct as unlawful activity.
Gaba was arrested at the Attari border in April 2024.
His lawyer says he will challenge the court’s order in the high court.
A Delhi court discharged UK national Inderpal Singh Gaba from a charge of insulting the Indian national flag over an alleged incident in London.
The court said the flag law does not apply extraterritorially to an alleged offence committed by a foreign national on foreign soil.
It ordered charges against Gaba under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), finding sufficient grounds related to his alleged participation in a protest and standing on the flag.
The case concerns protests outside the Indian High Commission in London on March 19 and 22, 2023.
Gaba’s lawyer said the defence would challenge the order in the high court.
- Who
- Inderpal Singh Gaba, a UK national, and the Delhi court hearing the case.
- What
- The court discharged Gaba from the flag-insult charge but ordered charges under the UAPA.
- When
- The order was issued on October 8; the article was published on October 12, 2026.
- Where
- Rouse Avenue Courts in Delhi; the alleged acts took place outside the Indian High Commission in London.
- Why
- The court said the flag law had no extraterritorial jurisdiction, but found sufficient grounds for a UAPA charge over Gaba’s alleged participation in a protest.
Gaba and his defence
NIA
Connection to the incidents
Gaba and his defence
The defence argued there was no material connecting Gaba to the incidents.
NIA
The NIA alleged Gaba took part in the March 22 protest and linked the London protests to Khalistan supporters.
Flag-law charge
Gaba and his defence
The defence argued the flag law did not extend beyond India’s territory.
NIA
The NIA charged Gaba under the flag law, but the court ruled it could not be invoked for an alleged offence in London.
Although this court is satisfied from video recordings of the incident dated March 22, 2023 that Gaba, by standing on the Indian National Flag, which was lying on the ground, has committed an offence under section 2 of the Prevention of Insults to National Honours Act, 1971 but still he cannot be tried for the said offence before this court
We will challenge this order in the high court.
Protests took place outside the Indian High Commission in London.
Gaba allegedly took part in one of the protests.
Gaba was arrested at the Attari border.
The Delhi court discharged Gaba from the flag-law charge and ordered UAPA charges.
- Accused
- Inderpal Singh Gaba, a UK national
- Court
- Special NIA court at Rouse Avenue Courts, Delhi
- Flag-law ruling
- Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971
- UAPA charge
- Section 13 (1)
- Protest dates
- March 19 and 22, 2023
- Arrest
- April 25, 2024
Sources
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