Arrests in Hardeep Nijjar case: Trudeau govt’s silence on Punjab gangsters in Canada raises questions

Hardeep Singh Nijjar case: In a recent development, the Canadian police have arrested three suspects—Kamalpreet Singh, Karanpreet Singh and Karan Brar—for their alleged involvement in the killing of Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar. The arrests have shifted focus on their connections with criminal elements in Haryana and Punjab back in India. It is learnt that despite lacking proper documentation, they were residing in Canada on temporary visas, which have raised concerns about the failure to deport them back to India, particularly as they were not engaged in any studies.

As per reports in Hindustan Times, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) has publicly announced its intention to collaborate with Indian counterparts, notably the National Investigation Agency (NIA), to unearth the Indian connection in the recent arrests. However, despite this commitment, the RCMP has faced criticism for its inaction regarding Indian requests to extradite seven known gangsters from Punjab who have sought refuge in Canada.       

These individuals are believed to be involved in contract killings and extortion activities in Punjab and Haryana while taking refuge in Canada. However, the Canadian government, under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, has consistently declined cooperation, choosing instead to deflect blame onto the Indian government for the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June 2023.

The list of wanted gangsters includes Arshdeep Singh, also known as Arsh Dala, originally from Dala in Moga district, Punjab, currently residing in Surrey, Canada; Lakhbir Singh, alias Landa, a resident of Harike Village in Tarn Taran, now residing in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; Ramandeep Singh, known as Raman Judge, from Ferozepur, currently based in British Columbia, Canada, Charanjit Singh, also called Rinku Bihla, hailing from Bihla, Tallewal, Barnala district, currently residing in Canada; Gurpinder Singh, known as Baba Dalla, from Dalla village, Ludhiana Rural, currently living in Canada; Satveer Singh Warring, alias Sam Abohar, a resident of Fazilka district, currently residing in Canada; Snover Singh Dhillion, from Defence Colony, Amritsar, now residing in Ontario, Canada; Satinderjit Singh, also known as Goldy Brar, originally from Sri Muktsar Sahib, is another person sought by Indian authorities, believed to be in California, but holding Canadian residency.

While the visa status of these individuals remains undisclosed, it is observed that Punjab gangsters often exploit loopholes to seek political asylum in Canada, citing alleged human rights violations by Indian authorities. Meanwhile, they continue to exert their influence, extorting and harassing prominent figures in Punjab and Haryana through criminal networks spanning across multiple countries, including the Philippines and Malaysia.