He died in
City Hospital,
Birmingham on 15 June 2023, aged 35, following a diagnosis of
acute myeloid leukemia. Doubts were raised about the circumstances of his death in light of allegations surrounding the involvement of the Indian government in the murder of
Hardeep Singh Nijjar, another
Khalistani separatist. Khanda's father Kulwant Singh Khukhrana, a well known Khalistani died when Avtar was a few years old. Widely reported attributed his decline, from apparent health to hospitalization and death within days, to poisoning. The
West Midland Police concluded there were "no suspicious circumstances" surrounding his death. The Government of India has denied any involvement in his death. Khanda's family, represented by the barrister
Michael Polak, have called for an
inquest to be held. == References ==