NEW DELHI: Canada‘s Federal Court of Appeal has dismissed the appeal of Bhagat Singh Brar and Parvkar Singh Dulai, two alleged Khalistan supporters, who sought removal from a no-fly list that they were placed on in 2018.
Parry Dulai, a close associate of NDP leader Jagmeet Singh, operates ‘Channel Punjabi’ from Surrey and ‘Global TV’ from Chandigarh.
Meanwhile, Bhagat Singh Brar is associated with several Sikh organisations. Brar is the son of Lakhbir Singh Brar, known as Lakhbir Singh Rode, a notable Khalistani separatist who led the International Sikh Youth Federation (ISYF) and had connections with the Khalistan Zindabad Force. Brar, who serves as the general secretary of the Ontario Gurudwara Committee, is linked with the ISYF-R (Canada Chapter) and is a member of the Jot Prakash Gurdwara Committee.
According to the court, there were reasonable grounds to suspect that Brar and Dulai intended to engage in terrorism-related activities, as indicated by confidential security information. This recent ruling upheld a previous decision by a lower court, supporting the constitutionality of Canada’s Secure Air Travel Act.
The act gives the public safety minister the authority to prevent individuals from flying if there are ‘reasonable grounds to suspect they will threaten transportation security or travel by air to commit a terrorism offence.’
Brar and Dulai argued that their inclusion on the no-fly list infringed on their Charter rights. However, the court determined that the legislation was justified.
Judge David Stratas, writing for the three-judge panel, said, “The stakes for the government in preventing terrorism and ensuring security are sky-high,” emphasising the necessity of balancing individual rights with national security concerns.
The court also noted that the confidential portions of the court process were procedurally fair. This decision comes shortly after Canada honored Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Parliament.
Parry Dulai, a close associate of NDP leader Jagmeet Singh, operates ‘Channel Punjabi’ from Surrey and ‘Global TV’ from Chandigarh.
Meanwhile, Bhagat Singh Brar is associated with several Sikh organisations. Brar is the son of Lakhbir Singh Brar, known as Lakhbir Singh Rode, a notable Khalistani separatist who led the International Sikh Youth Federation (ISYF) and had connections with the Khalistan Zindabad Force. Brar, who serves as the general secretary of the Ontario Gurudwara Committee, is linked with the ISYF-R (Canada Chapter) and is a member of the Jot Prakash Gurdwara Committee.
According to the court, there were reasonable grounds to suspect that Brar and Dulai intended to engage in terrorism-related activities, as indicated by confidential security information. This recent ruling upheld a previous decision by a lower court, supporting the constitutionality of Canada’s Secure Air Travel Act.
The act gives the public safety minister the authority to prevent individuals from flying if there are ‘reasonable grounds to suspect they will threaten transportation security or travel by air to commit a terrorism offence.’
Brar and Dulai argued that their inclusion on the no-fly list infringed on their Charter rights. However, the court determined that the legislation was justified.
Judge David Stratas, writing for the three-judge panel, said, “The stakes for the government in preventing terrorism and ensuring security are sky-high,” emphasising the necessity of balancing individual rights with national security concerns.
The court also noted that the confidential portions of the court process were procedurally fair. This decision comes shortly after Canada honored Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Parliament.