Questions surrounding the financial operations of Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) and its leader, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, have reignited debates over the transparency and legality of the Khalistan referendum campaign. With millions of dollars spent on global events, suspicions of financial irregularities and potential money laundering have come to the forefront.
Who’s Really Funding SFJ’s #Khalistan Agenda?
— Navdeep Singh (@Navdeep_UK) February 20, 2025
SFJ & #GurpatwantSinghPannun who organize referendums for #Khalistan, have spent millions of dollars. There is a strong case for investigating the source of these funds & potential misappropriation, the abuse of relevant U.S. laws
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In 2009, Pannun, a New York-based lawyer, established Sikhs for Justice Inc., which obtained federal tax-exempt status as a public charity. Under U.S. law, such organizations are required to file Form 990 annually to maintain their exemption. However, failure to comply for three consecutive years leads to automatic revocation by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
Despite his legal expertise, Pannun did not file the necessary forms, leading to the revocation of SFJ Inc.’s tax-exempt status in 2012. Yet, donations to the organization reportedly continued unabated, raising concerns over whether this lapse was a mere oversight or part of a more complex scheme.
Seven years later, in 2019, Pannun registered a new entity—Sikhs for Justice International. Critics speculate that this move may have been an attempt to reset the organization’s compliance record and regain tax-exempt privileges. However, history repeated itself. By 2022, SFJ International also lost its tax-exempt status due to the same violation: failing to file Form 990.
The timing of this second revocation coincided with Pannun’s acquisition of a luxury bungalow in Ontario, Canada, further fueling allegations of financial mismanagement. Observers question how the organization continued to fund high-profile initiatives, such as the 2018 Khalistan London Declaration, which reportedly cost £1 million. Leaked audio recordings, allegedly involving SFJ member Paramjit Singh Pamma, suggest possible undisclosed funding sources.
With the organization’s finances shrouded in mystery, attention now turns to the post-2022 referendums. Without tax-exempt status, SFJ International’s ability to legally receive large-scale donations is restricted, prompting speculation that undisclosed channels may be sustaining its operations. The possibility of money laundering has been raised, though no formal charges have been filed.
As calls for greater transparency grow louder, legal experts emphasize the need for a comprehensive investigation into SFJ’s financial practices. Such an inquiry could determine whether the organization exploited loopholes in U.S. law or engaged in illicit activities to finance its controversial campaign.
In the meantime, the public awaits answers. Until the financial underpinnings of SFJ’s Khalistan agenda are fully disclosed, questions of legality and accountability will continue to cloud its operations and motives.
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author. They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of Khalsa Vox or its members.
