London: An Indian-origin man on Wednesday appeared in a British court to plead not guilty to the attempted murder of a Namdhari sect leader during a trip to London.
Harjit Singh Toor, who appeared before Justice Flaux at Nottingham Crown Court, was accused of attacking Sri Satguru Uday Singh Ji at the Gurdwara Namdhari in Linden Street, Leicester, on August 11.
The 27-year-old`s trial has been provisionally set for Birmingham Crown Court on February 10 and he has been remanded in custody until then.
Toor, a non-Namdhari Sikh from Oadby area in Leicester, was caught by members of the congregation present at Sunday prayers at the gurdwara.
He was allegedly wrapped in a blanket as he moved towards the sect chief with a gandasa, a traditional Punjabi farming tool, and aimed for his head.
The victim suffered injuries to his face and arm and was taken to the Royal Infirmary in Leicester.
Sri Satguru Uday Singh had travelled to the UK from India to convene a Namdhari Darbar and has since returned to Sri Bhaini Sahib in Ludhiana, the base of the Namdhari movement in India.
