Accused in Punjab VHP leader's murder case, Sonu Barnala deported to India, arrested by NIA
VHP leader Vikas Prabhakar was shot dead in April 2024 in Rupnagar district of Punjab.
Prefer HTon Google
Indian authorities have secured the deportation of Harwinder Kumar, alias Sonu Barnala, from UAE in connection with the murder of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Vikas Prabhakar in Punjab.
Announcing the major breakthrough, the ministry of home affairs on Thursday said that Prabhakar was shot dead by Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) in a bid to create a communal unrest ‘at the behest of its Pakistan-based chief, Wadhawa Singh, alias Babbar.’
A Red Corner Notice was issued against UAE-based Barnala on April 17, 2026, the ministry said, adding that Barnala was handed over to the Indian authorities by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on June 19, 2026 following a request from India. “Under Prime Minister Modi Ji's vision of zero tolerance against terror, the Ministry of Home Affairs has launched the PRAHAAR initiative, under which the deportation of terrorists to India has been expedited,” the statement added.
Prabhakar, VJP's Nangal district president, was shot dead in April 2024 in Rupnagar district at his confectionary shop reportedly by two unidentified assailants.
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More
Get the latest India News, breaking headlines, and real-time updates from across the nation. Stay informed on politics, government policies, crime, weather, and major national developments.
KioskNews shows a cleaned-up reading view extracted from the publisher’s page — the original always lives on their site, not ours.