India’s NIA arrests UAE-deported suspect in VHP leader’s killing

India’s National Investigation Agency has arrested a man deported from the United Arab Emirates in connection with the killing of Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Vikas Prabhakar in Punjab in April 2024. The NIA said Harwinder Kumar, also known as Sonu, was arrested at New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport on Thursday after his deportation. The agency said he had operated from the UAE and allegedly provided logistical support and financing to those involved.

Prabhakar was shot at his confectionery shop in Nangal, in Punjab’s Roopnagar district, on April 13, 2024. The NIA registered the case on May 9 and has filed three chargesheets, according to the agency. The NIA alleges that Kumar acted as a recruiter and handler, arranged weapons and facilitated their delivery to the shooters.

It also says he received and transferred funds linked to the alleged conspiracy on instructions from Germany-based operatives Harjit Singh, known as Laddi, and Kulbeer Singh, known as Sidhu. The agency has identified Pakistan-based BKI chief Wadhawa Singh, also known as Babbar, as an alleged figure in the conspiracy. It says Singh directed Germany-based operatives, who in turn worked with a Dubai-based logistics provider and India-based weapons suppliers.

The NIA previously arrested another UAE-based suspect, Manveer Ram, in August. The agency alleges that he helped supply weapons used in the killing. Three other accused named in an October 2024 chargesheet include alleged shooters Mandeep Kumar and Surinder Kumar, both from Nawanshahr, and Gurpreet Ram.

They face charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, the former Indian Penal Code and the Arms Act, according to the NIA.