Canadian authorities charge three persons in connection with the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three individuals, Karan Brar, Kamalpreet Singh, and Karanpreet Singh, are charged with the murder of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey, Canada, sparking tensions between Canada and India.
Canadian authorities have formally identified and charged three individuals arrested in connection with the killing of pro-Khalistan figure Hardeep Singh Nijjar on June 18, 2023, in Surrey, British Columbia. The suspects, Karan Brar, 22, Kamalpreet Singh, 22, and Karanpreet Singh, 28, were all arrested in and around Edmonton, the capital of the province of British Columbia. The three have been charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder, according to a release from the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) on Friday. However, investigations are ongoing to identify additional persons involved in the killing and to establish any Indian link to it. Commander of the Federal Policing Program in the Pacific Region, Assistant Commissioner David Teboul, stated during a press conference in Surrey that separate investigations are underway, including looking into connections to the Government of India. Teboul did not discuss the nature of the evidence collected or the motive behind the killing, as these aspects will be addressed in the judicial proceedings expected to begin on Monday once the accused are in Surrey.
He emphasized that the matter is still actively under investigation and that the announcements made are not a complete account of the ongoing investigative work. Investigators are reportedly coordinating and collaborating with Indian agencies, although Teboul noted that the relationship had become challenging in recent years. The men were apprehended in Edmonton with the assistance of the Surrey detachment of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and the Edmonton Police Service. Superintendent Mandeep Mooker, Officer in Charge of IHIT, stated that the investigation is ongoing and that there could be others involved in the homicide who have yet to be identified and arrested. All three suspects are believed to have entered Canada within the previous five years as international students. Canadian media reports, citing anonymous law enforcement sources, suggest they are linked to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang.
Police have released images of the arrested individuals and of the Toyota Corolla believed to have been used by the suspects leading up to the homicide in and around the Surrey area. Nijjar's killing significantly strained relations between India and Canada after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau mentioned in the House of Commons on September 18 that there were credible allegations of a potential link between Indian agents and the murder. India criticized Trudeau's statement as "absurd" and "motivated." However, Indian officials have reiterated that New Delhi is willing to cooperate with Ottawa if specific and relevant information is provided. Najjar was the principal organizer in British Columbia of the so-called Khalistan Referendum being held by the secessionist group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ). Reacting to the arrests, SFJ's general counsel Gurpatwant Pannun stated that while the action was a step forward, it "only scratches the surface," accusing New Delhi and its representatives in Canada of providing logistical support and intelligence leading up to the killing.
| Follow the Hindeez on Google News |  |
| Follow the Hindeez channel on WhatsApp |  |
We hate spam as much as you do
© Hindeez 2024, All Rights Reserved
