2 held for 'planning' attacks on Amit Shah, Bittu and Majithia in pro-Amritpal WhatsApp group

Punjab Police have arrested two individuals and registered an FIR in connection with a WhatsApp group allegedly supporting jailed MP Amritpal Singh, which reportedly discussed plans to attack Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP MP Ravneet Singh Bittu, and Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia.

The plot was uncovered after leaked screenshots of the group chat surfaced on social media on Sunday, raising alarm across security agencies.

The group, named ‘Waris Punjab De Team’, is believed to be linked to anti-national activities and reportedly included over 600 members.

The Cyber Crime Police Station in Moga registered an FIR under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code, Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), and the Information Technology Act, including Sections 61(2)(a), 113(3), 152, 353 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

The accused have been identified as Lakhdeep Singh Sardargarh, from Bathinda, Balkar Singh, from New Model Town, Khanna and Pawandeep Singh, from Khote, Moga. Of the three, Balkar and Pawandeep have been arrested.

The accused are alleged to have incited unrest by opposing the extension of Amritpal Singh’s detention under the National Security Act (NSA). They also reportedly discussed acts of violence targeting political and religious figures, including Amit Shah, Ravneet Singh Bittu, Bikram Majithia, and Parminder Singh Talwara—an aide to the late Deep Sidhu, founder of ‘Waris Punjab De’.

Police sources claim the group chat included discussions on foreign funding, arms procurement, and the circulation of inflammatory content online.

Security agencies at both the state and national levels have taken note of the chats, and security for the targeted leaders has been heightened.

Notably, Congress MP Ravneet Singh Bittu, whose grandfather and former Punjab CM Beant Singh was assassinated by terrorists, has been on the radar of threats in the past and was accused by Amritpal’s supporters of aiding in his detention.

Meanwhile, SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia has released audio clips in which Amritpal Singh allegedly admits to ties with gangsters, involvement in dacoities, and other criminal activities.

Majithia has demanded a National Investigation Agency (NIA) probe and said he would hand over all available evidence to the Centre, alleging politicisation and inaction by the Punjab Police.

He also slammed Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann for maintaining silence on such a critical issue, questioning whether authorities were “waiting for someone to die.”