Mystery Surrounds Sikh Activist's Death in Birmingham: Family Demands Inquest Amid Poisoning Concerns
The sudden death of Sikh activist Avtar Singh Khanda in June 2023 has returned to the spotlight as fresh forensic findings cast doubt on the official narrative and raise alarming questions about possible poisoning. Amid growing suspicions and mounting international pressure, Khanda’s family is calling for a formal inquest, warning that his case could be part of a broader pattern of transnational repression.
A Death That Still Haunts a Community
Khanda, 35, died just four days after being admitted to a Birmingham hospital with severe, unexplained symptoms. The official cause was listed as acute myeloid leukemia, but family and supporters insist the explanation doesn’t match the context—particularly considering his high-profile activism within the Khalistan movement.
New Pathologist Report Questions Official Diagnosis
In a letter to West Midlands Coroner Louise Hunt, barrister Michael Polak noted that key toxicology tests for nerve agents, biological weapons, and radioactive substances were never conducted. This gap, he argued, leaves open the serious possibility of deliberate poisoning.
Independent forensic pathologist Dr. Ashley Fegan-Earl was commissioned to review the case. Although standard hospital toxicology found nothing unusual, he cautioned that many poisons do not leave detectable traces unless specifically suspected.
“A negative drug screen does not conclusively rule out poisoning,” Dr. Fegan-Earl wrote. “Rare substances may only be discovered through specialized testing at facilities like Kew Gardens or Porton Down.”
A Pattern of Targeted Attacks?
Khanda's death came just weeks before two other Sikh activists were murdered abroad—one in Canada and another in Pakistan. A third was nearly assassinated in the United States. These incidents appear linked to what some human rights advocates are calling a campaign of transnational repression by foreign powers, particularly India—a claim that India firmly denies.
Jaswinder Singh, a friend and adviser to the Sikh Federation UK, stated that police failed to search Khanda’s devices or home, nor did they interview close contacts—key missteps that he believes undermine the credibility of the investigation.
Public Enemy Number One
Khanda had applied for asylum in 2016, fearing retaliation from Indian authorities due to his activism. His family history is one of tragedy—both his father and uncle were reportedly killed extrajudicially in the 1990s.
Shortly before his death, Khanda believed he was being surveilled. During that time, Indian media accused him of involvement in the Indian flag incident at the High Commission in London—allegations his supporters call entirely unfounded.
“He was just a parcel courier in Birmingham,” Singh said. “Yet suddenly he became public enemy number one for a global superpower.”
Over 5,000 people attended his funeral. According to close friends, Khanda never mentioned feeling sick or undergoing treatment—adding to the mystery and heartbreak.
A Plea for Justice
Jagjit Singh, Khanda’s next of kin in the UK, expressed deep frustration with the lack of answers. “If Russia or Iran were suspected, this case would have received full-scale international attention,” he said. “Why is India being treated differently?”
The community continues to demand a full, transparent inquest. For now, questions linger—and justice remains elusive.