India requests evidence of attack on Indian consulate in San Francisco under MLAT

NEW DELHI: In a significant development, the Indian government on Tuesday (November 14, 2023) requested evidence in the San Francisco consulate case under the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT). Sources informed that the request of the centre has been sent to the US authorities based on the NIA probe so far. A total of 45 people were identified in a case related to the attack on the Indian consulate in San Francisco through crowd-funding.
During the intervening night of March 18 and 19, a group of pro-Khalistani entities trespassed into the Indian Consulate based in San Francisco and attempted to set it on fire. A case was registered following the incident. However, on the same day, violent activities were reported where Khalistani supporters break through the security barriers and put-up Khalistani flags on the consulate. They raised slogans, damaged the building and injured the officials.

According to the anti-terror federal agency, a similar incident happened on the intervening night of July 1 and 2. A few people entered the consulate and tried to burn it down. During the incident, the officials were present inside the building.
Taking cognisance of the matter, on June 16, NIA registered a case under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act. For more investigation, a team of NIA had visited San Francisco in August.