Karan Brar, along with two other Indian nationals, found himself embroiled in legal proceedings after being apprehended on May 3. Brar's journey to Canada, allegedly facilitated by a Punjab-based immigration consultancy firm called EthicWorks Immigration Services, sheds light on the complexities surrounding visa acquisition and immigration processes.
In a video shared in 2019, Brar revealed his application for a student visa through EthicWorks Immigration Services, headquartered in Bathinda, Punjab, culminated swiftly, contrary to the standard processing duration for Canada student visas, which typically spans 7–9 weeks. The promotional content, featuring Brar holding a passport and flaunting a Canadian study permit, was proudly showcased on the firm's Facebook page before its eventual removal.
The report by Global News elucidated Brar's enrollment at Calgary's Bow Valley College commencing April 30, 2020, followed by a relocation to Edmonton on May 4, 2020. Despite Brar's association with the eight-month hospital unit clerk program, the college refrained from confirming his alleged involvement in the tragic event involving Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
However, the college vehemently denied any affiliation with EthicWorks Immigration Services, highlighting a disconnect between Brar's immigration facilitator and the educational institution.
The arrest of Brar, alongside Karanpreet Singh and Kamalpreet Singh, on charges of first-degree murder in Edmonton, Alberta, evoked widespread attention. Yet, Canadian authorities have yet to furnish evidence implicating the trio's ties to the Indian government.
The unfortunate demise of Hardeep Nijjar gunned down outside a gurdwara in Surrey on June 18, 2023, unfolded a narrative of alleged involvement by the three arrestees, purportedly assuming distinct roles as shooters, drivers, and spotters. Amidst ongoing investigations, authorities are probing potential connections between the suspects and the Indian government.
In a political fray, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau implicated "agents of the government of India" in the incident, prompting vehement rebuttals from Indian authorities, denouncing the accusation as baseless. The ensuing diplomatic standoff saw reciprocal actions, with India demanding the withdrawal of over 40 Canadian diplomats and imposing a visa freeze on Canadian nationals, which, albeit gradually, was subsequently lifted.
