Jagmeet Singh, a prominent figure in Canada's New Democratic Party, has stirred controversy by asserting that the Indian government orchestrated the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a known Khalistani separatist, in Surrey in 2023. Singh's claims come in the wake of the arrest of three individuals of Indian origin in Edmonton, Alberta, suspected of involvement in Nijjar's murder. However, Canadian law enforcement authorities have yet to present evidence linking these suspects to the Indian government.
Singh's statement, made via Twitter, alleges that the Indian government engaged assassins to eliminate Nijjar, a Canadian citizen, within the confines of a place of worship on Canadian soil. He emphasizes the imperative of uncovering and prosecuting any individuals associated with this purported act of state-sponsored violence, advocating for justice in Nijjar's case as a matter of upholding democratic principles and freedom of expression.
The three individuals apprehended in connection with Nijjar's murder, described by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) as members of a 'hit squad,' were identified as Karanpreet Singh, 28, Kamalpreet Singh, 22, and Karan Brar, 22. According to RCMP Superintendent Mandeep Mooker, these suspects had been under surveillance for several months prior to their arrest.
Authorities assert that the trio, all Indian nationals and non-permanent residents of Canada, allegedly fulfilled various roles in Nijjar's assassination, including as shooters, drivers, and spotters. Investigations are underway to ascertain potential ties between the suspects and the Indian government, with RCMP Assistant Commissioner David Teboul emphasizing ongoing efforts to explore connections to official entities in India.
Hardeep Nijjar, the victim of the fatal shooting, was a notable figure within the Khalistani separatist movement. His assassination outside a gurdwara in Surrey on June 18, 2023, prompted Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to implicate "agents of the government of India" in the incident. The Indian government swiftly dismissed these allegations as baseless and responded by demanding the withdrawal of over 40 Canadian diplomats from India, citing diplomatic parity.
In addition to diplomatic tensions, the fallout from Nijjar's assassination led to a temporary halt in visa issuance to Canadian nationals by the Indian government, which was later resumed in a phased manner.
