UK Targets Pro-Khalistan Funding Network With Sanctions on Sikh Businessman
Assets frozen in first use of domestic terror regime.
The United Kingdom has imposed sweeping sanctions on a British Sikh businessman and an organisation linked to him in what officials described as the first use of the country’s new Domestic Counter-Terrorism Regime to disrupt funding for pro-Khalistan extremism. The action targets Gurpreet Singh Rehal and the group Babbar Akali Lehar, both accused of supporting the banned terrorist organisation Babbar Khalsa, marking a significant escalation in the UK’s counter-terror financing efforts.
According to HM Treasury, Rehal, who has been linked to the Panjab Warriors sports investment firm, is now subject to an immediate asset freeze and disqualified from acting as a company director. Authorities allege that he has been involved in promoting extremist activities, facilitating recruitment, and providing financial assistance to terrorist networks operating in connection with Babbar Khalsa. The Treasury also imposed an asset freeze on Babbar Akali Lehar for actively promoting and supporting the same terrorist organisation.
Economic Secretary to the Treasury Lucy Rigby said the sanctions send an unambiguous message that Britain’s financial system will not be exploited to fund violence. She stated that the government is prepared to use every legal mechanism available to choke off terror financing, regardless of where the threat originates or who is responsible. Officials stressed that the move reflects close coordination between economic regulators and law-enforcement agencies to safeguard national security and protect affected communities.
Under the sanctions framework, all funds and economic resources in the UK owned or controlled by Rehal or Babbar Akali Lehar are now frozen. UK individuals and entities are prohibited from providing them with any financial services, funds, or economic resources without explicit authorisation from HM Treasury. Rehal is also barred from participating in the formation, promotion, or management of any company, with violations carrying penalties of up to seven years’ imprisonment or substantial financial fines.
The sanctions also extend to organisations reportedly owned by Rehal, including Saving Punjab, Whitehawk Consultations Ltd, and an unincorporated association known as Loha Designs. The move has drawn attention to Panjab Warriors, a London-based sports investment firm that recently acquired Morecambe Football Club. Following the government’s announcement, Panjab Warriors and Morecambe FC issued a joint statement asserting that Rehal held only a consultancy role and has now been fully removed from all associations, adding that both organisations are strengthening internal compliance and due diligence procedures in cooperation with authorities.
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