McLeodganj, July 4: In a dramatic turn of events during the 90th birthday celebrations of Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Friday raided the premises of a local businessman suspected of ties to Khalistani operatives in India and abroad.
The man under investigation, Sunny, son of Ghindro Ram, owns a communication centre located near the Dalai Lama’s temple in McLeodganj. He is reportedly married to a Russian national who has been residing with him in the area for several years. The NIA operation was ongoing at both his residence and business at the time of filing this report.
The raid comes amid heightened security in Dharamsala, where several VVIPs are attending the Dalai Lama’s birthday events. While the exact trigger for the operation has not been disclosed, officials said it was linked to broader national security concerns and alleged terror financing benefiting Khalistani networks.
“We were not informed about the NIA raid in advance. It seems to be a high-level security matter,” said Deepak Kumar, Station House Officer at McLeodganj Police Station.
A senior police official based in Dharamsala corroborated that the probe pertains to suspected terror funding and foreign connections. NIA officers reportedly seized mobile phones, hard drives, documents, and other materials for forensic analysis during the search.
Sources said that Sunny’s bank records and foreign exchange transactions had triggered suspicion, particularly due to his alleged links with overseas individuals connected to Khalistani outfits. His financial activities and possible involvement in funding or facilitating separatist operations are now under close scrutiny.
The development has cast a shadow over the otherwise peaceful and symbolic birthday observances of the Dalai Lama, which drew global attention and high-profile guests. Security agencies remain on high alert in the region.
