Indian-Origin Man Charged After Incident at Pakistan High Commission in London

LONDON: Ankit Love, a British-Kashmiri of Indian descent, has been formally accused of causing criminal damage following an event at the Pakistan High Commission in London, as confirmed by the Metropolitan Police.

According to a Metropolitan Police representative, Love, 41, who lacks a permanent address, was formally charged on Sunday, April 27. The spokesperson stated that he was held in custody and appeared in Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Monday, April 28.

The charges stem from the incident at the Pakistan High Commission on Sunday at approximately 5:00 p.m. Police were dispatched to Lowndes Square, Kensington and Chelsea, in response to reports of a man allegedly shattering the windows of the building. Earlier that Friday evening, nearly 300 individuals of Indian origin protested at the Pakistan High Commission, and two men were taken into custody for allegedly racially abusing law enforcement officials.

Security camera footage depicted Love allegedly attacking the Pakistan High Commission and vandalizing several windows and doors, resulting in property damage.

Reports indicate the suspect is of Indian descent, with connections to prior minor incidents of public disorder.

Sources mention Ankit Love’s Kashmiri heritage from the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) area, identifying him as a musician. In 2016, he established his One Love party and ran for Mayor of London against Sadiq Khan and Zac Goldsmith.

He stated that “The One Love party seeks to convey a universal message of unity and peace for all mankind,” regarding his campaign at the time.

In 2015, he proclaimed himself the maharaja of the Dogra dynasty of Jammu and Kashmir, identifying as the son of Bhim Singh, former president of the Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party.

His LinkedIn profile identifies him as “HH the Emperor (Maharaja), Sovereign State of Jammu and Kashmir”.

His political party stated that its priorities included lowering air pollution in London and encouraging the use of autonomous electric vehicles. Love has described himself as a music artist, filmmaker, and designer, as well as the founder of Ankit Love Productions. His song, ‘Spill the Milky Way’, came out in 2014, though it didn’t gain popularity.

Love urged British military personnel to “oust the failed regime and replace the prime minister with him as the senior Minister of the Crown, so he can dictate the needed legislation” when he launched his party.

He openly stated in 2016 that he was approximately £30,000 in debt.

As tensions increase between Islamabad and New Delhi, Pakistani and Indian protesters engaged in demonstrations outside the missions of both countries in central London over the weekend.