Jaspal Singh Atwal, once a convicted Khalistani terrorist, visited India during Trudeau's visit. It was asked how Atwal, a "convicted terrorist" got Indian Visa.
External affairs ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar had said the ministry would ascertain how Atwal got the visa.
Hindustan Times has reported that Atwal managed to get Indian visa without any problem because he had applied for an India e-visa.
Atwal is a Canadian citizen. Citizens of Canada are eligible for an India e-visa. India extends this facility to the citizens of almost 150 countries. The process involves a completely online application. India’s home ministry removed Atwal’s name from the list of blacklisted Sikh militants in 2016.
An Indian official told Hindustan Times on condition of anonymity, "He as a Canadian national and obtained an e-visa."
Atwal's invitation to a reception hosted by the Canadian High Commission for the country's Prime Minister sparked controversy in India, and the High Commission rescinded the invite.
Meanwhile, Indian-origin Randeep Sarai, a Canadian MP, has taken the responsibility for the "goof-up" of inviting a convicted attempted murderer to a formal dinner.
Sarai, who invited Atwal to a formal dinner during Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s visit to India, has quit as chair of the Liberal party’s Pacific Caucus.
Atwal was convicted of attempting to kill visiting Indian politician Malkiat Singh Sindhu in Vancouver in 1986. He served five years of a 20-year prison sentence.
