In the case of the murder of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada, three Indian nationals have been arrested and charged.
The 45-year-old Nijjar was fatally shot by masked gunmen last June in a busy car park in a Vancouver suburb, igniting a major diplomatic dispute between Canada and India.
The arrested suspects, identified as 22-year-old Karan Brar, 22-year-old Kamal Preet Singh, and 28-year-old Karan Preet Singh, were apprehended in Edmonton, Alberta, where they had been residing. They face charges of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder, as per court records.
Superintendent Mandeep Mooker announced the arrests, stating that the trio had been living in Canada for three to five years. Furthermore, investigations are ongoing, with police exploring potential connections to the government of India. Assistant Commissioner David Teboul emphasized that the investigations extend beyond the individuals arrested.
While cooperation with Indian counterparts has been challenging in recent years, police are leaving no stone unturned in pursuing leads. Authorities have hinted at the possibility of additional arrests or charges as the investigation progresses.
Hardeep Singh Nijjar was a vocal advocate for Khalistan, the movement seeking an independent Sikh homeland in India’s Punjab region. His assassination reignited tensions surrounding the separatist movement, with supporters rejecting Indian allegations of terrorism against Nijjar.
The news of the arrests has been met with a mix of relief and apprehension within the Sikh community. Moninder Singh, a member of the British Columbia Gurdwaras Council and a close friend of Nijjar, expressed gratitude for progress in the investigation but noted lingering public safety concerns and tension.
