New Delhi: A court in the UK Tuesday called on UK Home Secretary Suella Braverman to certify as to whether Ankit Love — the son of late Jammu and Kashmir Panthers Party (JKPP) chief Bhim Singh — is the ‘Maharaja’ of the ‘sovereign state’ of Jammu and Kashmir.
Love, a UK citizen, is seeking diplomatic immunity in a criminal case in which he has been accused of criminal damage to property of the Indian High Commission in London.
On 13 February, Love was arrested after he threw eggs and stones at the High Commission as part of a protest against the Indian government’s policies in J&K.
“I was protesting against the Indian government’s unlawful conduct in Jammu and Kashmir, in particular the 1991 Kunan Poshpora mass rape. I protested in February because that was the month of the incident,” Love told ThePrint over phone.
According to an order issued by Southwark Crown Court, the UK Home Secretary has 7 days to issue a certificate in regards to whether J&K is a sovereign state and Love is its head of state. If the UK government refuses to grant a certificate, Love plans to appeal to London’s High Court.
In the UK, all criminal cases start in Magistrates’ court but more serious criminal matters are sent to Crown Courts. Appeals from Crown Courts go to the High Court and potentially to the Court of Appeal or even the Supreme Court.
Love, who claims to be a descendant of the Dogra dynasty, has been “wary” of visiting India since the case against the Indian High Commission began.
“I have been entangled in a legal case against the Indian High Commission since February this year. As the rightful Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir, I am seeking diplomatic immunity from prosecution. My father, Bhim Singh, died in May but I was wary of applying for a visa to India given the ongoing case involving the High Commission,” said Love.
Bhim Singh died on 31 May after suffering from a long-term illness.
ThePrint reported earlier in April that Love was caught by Bulgarian police for driving a Ukrainian model’s car.
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‘Eggy mess’ at High Commission
Love is facing charges of damaging property under the UK’s Criminal Damage Act 1971.
The indictment order from Southwark Crown Court, viewed by ThePrint, states: “ANKIT LOVE, on the 13th day of February, 2022, without lawful excuse, damaged windows and doors belonging to the Indian High Commission, intending to destroy or damage such property or being reckless as to whether such property would be destroyed or damaged.”
The damage to windows and other property of the High Commission amounts to nearly £5,000.
Witness statements seen by ThePrint describe Love leaving an “eggy mess” on the doorstep of the Indian High Commission’s VIP entrance.
“He arrived on scene outside the embassy at about 1614 hours. He stands on the pavement by the kerb side to the road directly in front of the VIP entrance which is about 5 meters away from him across the wide stretch of pavement. Mr LOVE takes out a box of eggs. A number of eggs drop out of the box and onto the pavement when he opens the box and they crack on the pavement. Mr LOVE then throws the remaining eggs at the High Commission,” a witness stated.
“He throws some of these at the VIP door and some at the large window above the door. Mr LOVE then reaches into his pockets and takes out a number of stones. He then proceeds to throw stones at the windows dozens of times,” the witness added.
(Edited by V.S.Chandrasekar)
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