Protests erupted outside the provincial court in Surrey, British Columbia, as three Indian nationals accused of killing Khalistan terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar appeared for a hearing. Hundreds of protesters gathered outside the courthouse, carrying placards honoring Nijjar and waving blue and yellow flags associated with the Khalistan movement. Additionally, about 100 people outside the courthouse expressed support for Sikh separatism through posters.
The accused individuals, Karan Brar (22), Kamalpreet Singh (22), and Karanpreet Singh (28), who reside in Edmonton, were arrested and charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder on Friday. They appeared separately via video in front of a packed Surrey provincial courtroom on Tuesday. The court adjourned the case to May 21 to allow the accused to consult with their lawyers.
During the hearing, the accused agreed to have the proceedings conducted in English and acknowledged their understanding of the charges against them. The Crown prosecutor requested a no-contact order, which the court granted, naming seven individuals under the Canada Criminal Code to prevent the accused from communicating directly or indirectly with them.
Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian citizen, was fatally shot outside a gurdwara in Surrey on June 18, 2023. His killing led to widespread protests, with some Sikh groups circulating posters threatening Indian diplomats in Canada by name. In September of the same year, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau suggested the "potential" involvement of Indian agents in Nijjar's killing, leading to strained relations between India and Canada. India rejected Trudeau's allegations as "absurd" and "motivated."
