Threatening Letter Sent To West Chicago Mission; Georgia Man Charged

WEST CHICAGO, IL — A Georgia man faces federal charges after he was accused of mailing a threatening letter to San Nirankari Mission in West Chicago, along with at least four other missions. Jimil Parmar, 33, was charged with mailing a threatening communication for the letter, which threatened an attack on the mission if it did not cancel its U.S. and Canada tour.

The letter, sent to the mission in July 2023, read,

“CANCEL US CANADA TOUR IMMIDIATELY [sic] SRS ATTACK PLANNED"

Parmar is accused of mailing the same letter to "[a]t least four other Sant Nirankari Missions in the United States," a news release said.

According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of Illinois, Satguru Mata Sudiksha Ji Maharaj, who is the spiritual leader for San Nirankari Mission, was set to tour the United States and Canada that summer.

“When a threat of mass violence occurs, our Office will find, arrest, and prosecute those responsible to the fullest extent of the law,” U.S. Attorney Andrew S. Boutros said in a statement. “This case demonstrates our Office’s commitment to hold accountable those who seek to intimidate and instill fear in members of our community.”

Parmar's case is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on May 2 in Atlanta.