India-Canada relations to deteriorate further? NDP leader Jagmeet Singh alleges India’s hand in Nijjar killing despite no evidence

PTC Web Desk: The leader of Canada’s New Democratic Party (NDP), Jagmeet Singh, has once again alleged the Indian government’s involvement in the killing of Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, despite a lack of evidence linking India to the crime. Jagmeet Singh’s NDP has formed an alliance with the Liberal minority government, led by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, in exchange for support on key legislative initiatives.

Following the announcement by the Canadian police of the arrest of three suspects in Hardeep Nijjar’s killing, Jagmeet Singh reiterated his claim of the Indian government’s involvement. In a post on X, Singh said, “The Indian government hired assassins to murder a Canadian citizen on Canadian soil – at a place of worship. Today 3 arrests were made. Let me be clear – any Indian agent or state actor that ordered, planned or carried out this murder must be exposed and met with the full force of Canadian law. For Canada, democracy and free speech – there must be Justice for Hardeep Singh Nijjar.”

Last year, Prime Minister Trudeau also alleged Indian involvement in the killing, a claim vehemently denied by India as “absurd and motivated.” The Canadian police have not provided any evidence of Indian involvement, contrary to speculation in Canadian media.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) released photographs of the three arrested individuals, identified as Karanpreet Singh, 28, Kamalpreet Singh, 22, and Karan Brar, 22, all Indian nationals. They were apprehended in Edmonton City, Alberta, and charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder in connection with Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s killing in June 2023 in Surrey, British Columbia.

Addressing reporters, RCMP Assistant Commissioner David Teboul emphasised the active nature of the investigation into Nijjar’s murder, stating, “Three suspects have been arrested and charged for their alleged involvement… We are not able to make any comments on the nature of the evidence or the motive of the murder… However, I will say this matter is very much under active investigation.”

Teboul also mentioned ongoing investigations into potential connections to the government of India. Public Safety Minister Dominic Leblanc refrained from confirming any such connection, stating that inquiries should be directed to the RCMP.

Hardeep Singh Nijjar was fatally shot outside a gurdwara in Surrey in June last year. A video purportedly showing his killing emerged in March this year, depicting Hardeep Singh Nijjar being shot by armed individuals in what has been described as a “contract killing.”