Gurpreet Singh Rehal: The British Sikh businessman sanctioned by UK over supporting Khalistan terror group

A British Sikh businessman has come under the scanner for allegedly supporting a pro-Khalistan terrorist group. The United Kingdom government has imposed sanctions on Gurpreet Singh Rehal, a key figure in the London-based global sports investment firm Panjab Warriors' summer takeover of Morecambe Football Club.

Rehal has been accused of promoting and funding the Khalistan terrorist group Babbar Khalsa. Following the UK government’s action, Morecambe and Panjab Warriors have distanced themselves from the businessman.

We take a look.

Who is Gurpreet Singh Rehal?

Gurpreet Singh Rehal is the chief executive officer (CEO) of Saving Punjab. He also owns Whitehawk Consultations.

Rehal was said to be the director of marketing and communications of Morecambe’s owner, Panjab Warriors, as per The Athletic. He was at the forefront of the Panjab Warriors' takeover of the football club. After the deal was announced in June, he described it as “more than a business venture” and “a long-term commitment, rooted in respect, responsibility, and a genuine love for the game”.

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A post on Rehal’s LinkedIn page showed him collecting an award in Parliament on behalf of Panjab Warriors last week from the All-Party Parliamentary Group for British Sikhs.

A statement released by Panjab Warriors described it as a “historic moment”.

In the post, Rehal wrote: “This recognition is more than an award it is a reminder of the responsibility we carry. Panjab Warriors will continue to open doors, break ceilings, and create pathways for the next generation.”

Earlier this week, the businessman was pictured on social media meeting National League CEO Phil Alexander on behalf of Morecambe.

Rehal is neither listed as a director nor a person of significant control (PSC) at Panjab Warriors or Morecambe on Companies House.

UK sanctions Gurpreet Singh Rehal, group

The UK government has frozen the financial assets of Gurpreet Singh Rehal for his alleged involvement in terrorism.

The UK Treasury said in a statement on Thursday (December 4) that it had assessed that Rehal was “promoting and encouraging, carrying out recruitment activities for, [and] providing financial services to” the Khalistani militant group Babbar Khalsa, which is banned in the UK.

It added that Rehal’s all assets, and of a related organisation, Babbar Akali Lehar, were “now subject to an asset freeze”. He has also been disqualified as a director, meaning he is banned from taking part in management at UK companies.

"The UK has today announced an asset freeze and director disqualification against Gurpreet Singh Rehal, who is suspected of belonging to organisations involved in terrorism in India," the British government said.

The sanctions against Rehal also extend to his organisations: Saving Punjab, Whitehawk Consultations Ltd and unincorporated organisation/association Loha Designs.

The Treasury observed that Babbar Khalsa, which also goes by Babbar Khalsa International, is a proscribed terrorist organisation and its assessment views Babbar Akali Lehar to be an "involved person" under the regulations.

"HM Treasury also assesses that Babbar Akali Lehar is associated with, and involved in, Babbar Khalsa's terrorist activities by promoting and encouraging and carrying out recruitment activities for the group and itself," the department said.

In its statement announcing the sanctions, the UK government said: "This is the first use of the Domestic Counter-Terrorism Regime to disrupt funding for Pro-Khalistan militant group Babbar Khalsa."

Under the Counter-Terrorism (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019, the Treasury can freeze assets and impose restrictions on individuals and entities for their alleged involvement in terrorism. This is done to combat terrorist financing and protect the UK's financial system from abuse.

Violations of sanctions under the law can result in seven years' imprisonment on indictment, or civil penalties of up to one million pounds or 50 per cent of the breach value – whichever is greater.

Reactions to the UK govt’s sanctions

Labour MP and Economic Secretary to the Treasury Lucy Rigby said: "We will not stand by while terrorists exploit Britain's financial system.

"This landmark action shows we are prepared to use every tool at our disposal to choke off funding for terrorism - wherever it occurs and whoever is responsible. The UK stands firmly with peaceful communities against those who promote violence and hatred."

Distancing themselves from Rehal, Morecambe and Panjab Warriors, as per BBC, said in a joint statement: “An individual who previously held a consultancy role in marketing and communications with our organisations is no longer affiliated with either Morecambe FC or Panjab Warriors.”

"This consultancy position carried no strategic, financial or operational authority, and he had no involvement in the ownership or club decision-making.

"Following recent serious concerns that have come to light, we took immediate and decisive action, and his association with both organisations has been fully removed."

The Independent Football Regulator (IFR) said it was "working with relevant authorities and using our statutory information gathering powers to look into this matter urgently".

Khalistan threat in the UK

The Khalistan threat has grown in the UK in recent years. In March this year, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar faced a security breach in London.

A small group of pro-Khalistan protesters, waving the yellow Khalistan flags, had gathered outside the think tank Chatham House, where Jaishankar was speaking. They raised anti-India slogans and one protester broke the barricades when the minister was leaving, but was quickly apprehended.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal had expressed “deep concern” to the UK authorities about the breach in Jaishankar’s security by “UK-based separatist and extremist elements”.

In August this year, a gurdwara in the UK was allowed to keep boards featuring the word “Khalistan” after the watchdog for the British charity sector ruled that these boards did not violate the political guidance for charities operating in the country.

Khalistani supporters and extremists have long been expressing anti-India sentiments in the UK. A report into the British government’s ‘Extremism Review’ leaked earlier this year named “Hindu nationalist extremism” and “pro-Khalistan extremism” among nine emerging threats in the UK.

In 2023, a group of Khalistan protesters breached the perimeter of the building of the Indian High Commission in London, pulled down the Indian flag and vandalised the premises.

In another incident that year, the Indian High Commissioner Vikram Doraiswami was stopped from entering a gurdwara in Glasgow during a visit to Scotland by three Khalistani extremists.

In 2015, the Indian government shared a detailed dossier with the UK on the radicalisation of the Sikh youth in the country’s gurdwaras. “Besides imparting ideological indoctrination, youth have also been imparted theoretical training to make Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) using common chemicals by giving live demonstrations,” the dossier alleged, according to The Daily Mail.

During British PM Kier Starmer’s visit to India in October, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had raised the issue of Khalistani extremism.

"Khalistani extremist issue was discussed during meeting held today between PM Modi and PM Starmer,” Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said. “PM emphasised that radicalism and violent extremism had no space in democratic societies and should not be allowed to use or abuse the freedoms provided by societies, and there was a need to move against them in the legal framework available on both sides," he added.

With inputs from agencies