Three Indian men have been accused of the bold murder of a Sikh separatist on Canadian soil, according to the police. This incident sparked a diplomatic dispute with New Delhi after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau pointed fingers at “agents of the government of India” for planning the shooting.
India dismissed the accusation as ”absurd,” leading Canada to recall over 40 diplomats. However, Canada claimed to have solid evidence, supported by information from the United States. A federal indictment in New York also linked the Indian government to another murder-for-hire plot against a different Sikh separatist.
The three suspects, Karan Brar, 22; Kamalpreet Singh, 22; and Karanpreet Singh, 28, were apprehended in Edmonton, Alberta. They face charges of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Sikh nationalist, in June. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police revealed that the men had been residing in Canada for several years but were not permanent residents.
Superintendent Mandeep Mooker, head of the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team for the Mounties, stated that the investigation is ongoing and they are determined to apprehend all individuals involved in the homicide.
Assistant Commissioner David Teboul mentioned that other investigations are underway, including a probe into the potential involvement of the Indian government in Nijjar’s killing. He acknowledged the challenges in the relationship with India during the investigation.
The Indian government has not yet responded to the arrests.
The arrests mark the end of an inquiry into a shocking shooting that unsettled Canada and the Sikh community. Hardeep Singh Nijjar, 45, was gunned down in the parking lot of the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia, where he served as president.
Nijjar, a Canadian citizen originally from Punjab, had been a prominent figure in the local Khalistan movement, advocating for a separate Sikh nation. Surrey, located near Vancouver, is a hub for Sikh immigrants in Canada.
The Indian government had labeled Nijjar as a terrorist and had issued calls for his arrest. The Mounties had also warned Nijjar and other Sikhs about threats to their lives.
The investigation into this tragic event continues, shedding light on a complex web of international relations and political tensions.
2024-05-03 18:16:00
Article from www.nytimes.com