The relationship between India and Canada nosedived after Canadian PM Justin Trudeau in the Parliament accused agents from New Delhi of assassinating a 'Canadian citizen' most wanted in India- Hardeep Singh Nijjar. While New Delhi refused the reports and asked Ottawa for evidence, the diplomatic relationship between the countries came to a historic low. While people were wondering if the investigation into Hardeep Singh Nijjar's murder had settled, the Canadian authorities recently arrested three Indian-Origin men as suspects in the case. Canadian Police on Friday arrested three Indians on suspicion of they were part of the alleged hit squad that had killed Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in 2023. After their arrest, the spotlight shifted to jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi. Now, the question arises what is Lawrence Bishnoi's connection in Hardeep Singh Nijjar's murder?
- As per reports, Canadian Newspapers have alleged that the arrested suspects were in touch with Gangster Lawrence Bishnoi.
- The three arrested Indians - Karan Brar, 22, Kamalpreet Singh, 22, Karanpreet Singh, 28 - were living as non-permanent residents in Alberta for three to five years. The three arrested accused are said to from Punjab & Haryana. Superintendent Mandeep Mooker who is leading the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team also released the arrested individuals' photos. They have been charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder.
3. Mooker said all three are Indian nationals and have been living as non-permanent residents in Canada for the last three to five years.
4. He said coordination with India has been "challenging and rather difficult for the last several years".
5. Mooker said that his investigation has relied on the Sikh community's support. "We would not be at this point without the bravery and courage of the Sikh community coming forward with information for this investigation," he said, adding that he believes they will continue to come forward for any future investigations.
Citing sources, a report in Global News said that the suspects had entered Canada on "student visas but may have been working at the direction of Indian intelligence when they shot Nijjar." According to court records, Brar has been charged with a murder that occurred in Surrey on June 18, 2023. He also faces a charge of conspiracy to murder on May 1, 2023, in Edmonton and Surrey.
Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Assistant Commissioner David Teboul in a press conference on Friday said that are still investigating the case. "There are separate and distinct investigations ongoing into these matters, certainly not limited to the involvement of the people arrested today, and these efforts include investigating connections to the government of India," said David.
For the unversed, Hardeep Nijjar, a Canadian citizen who was wanted in India on various terror charges, was shot dead outside a gurdwara in Surrey on June 18, 2023.
A few days back, a fresh controversy erupted after separatist slogans on 'Khalistan' were raised at an event addressed by Justin Trudeau, prompting New Delhi to summon their Deputy High Commissioner and lodge a strong protest.