Canadian Police Charge Three Individuals with Murder of Sikh Leader Nijjar, Investigate Possible Connection to India

Canadian police have made a significant breakthrough in the investigation into the murder of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar last year. Three Indian men have been arrested and charged with his murder, sparking speculation about possible ties to the Indian government.

Nijjar, 45, was fatally shot outside a Sikh temple in Surrey, a Vancouver suburb known for its large Sikh population. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had previously suggested evidence of Indian government involvement in the assassination, leading to strained relations between Ottawa and New Delhi.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police identified the suspects as Karanpreet Singh, 28, Kamalpreet Singh, 22, and Karan Brar, 22. Authorities are now investigating whether the men had any connections to the Indian government, according to RCMP Superintendent Mandeep Mooker.

The arrests come after the White House expressed concerns about the reported role of the Indian intelligence service in assassination plots in Canada and the United States. Canadian police have collaborated with U.S. law enforcement agencies in their investigation and hinted at the possibility of more arrests in the future.

While the Indian mission in Ottawa has remained silent on the matter, Balpreet Singh, legal counsel and spokesperson for the Canada-based World Sikh Organization advocacy group, emphasized that the arrests raise more questions about the case. He believes that the suspects were part of a hit squad directed by others.

As the investigation continues, Trudeau’s government is pushing for further cooperation from India. The arrests have shed light on the complex web of international intrigue surrounding Nijjar’s murder, with calls for dismantling networks that facilitate such crimes on Canadian soil.