Canadian politician Jagmeet Singh has alleged that the Indian government was behind the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar as police arrested three Indians in connection with the murder case.
However, Canadian police have not given any evidence linking the three accused to the Indian government. Jagmeet Singh of Canada’s New Democratic Party claimed the Indian government hired assassins to kill Nijjar in Surrey in 2023, an incident that set off a diplomatic clash with India. “The Indian government hired assassins to murder a Canadian citizen on Canadian soil – at a place of worship. Today 3 arrests were made,” he said.
“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,” Singh tweeted.
WHO ARE THE THREE INDIANS ARRESTED IN HARDEEP NIJJAR CASE
On Friday, the three Indians, alleged members of a ‘hit squad’, were arrested in Edmonton, Alberta, and charged with first-degree murder. In a press conference, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) identified the three men as Karanpreet Singh, 28, Kamalpreet Singh, 22 and Karan Brar, 22.
RCMP superintendent Mandeep Mooker said the suspects were identified some months ago and were under tight surveillance.
The police said all the suspects were Indian nationals and non-permanent residents of Canada. Police said the trio allegedly played different roles as shooters, drivers and spotters on the day Nijjar was killed. Authorities are also investigating if they have ties to the Indian government.
“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,” RCMP assistant commissioner David Teboul said.
The Indian government has not commented on the arrests yet.
WHO WAS HARDEEP NIJJAR
Hardeep Nijjar, a Khalistani separatist, was gunned down outside a gurdwara in Surrey on June 18, 2023. Months later, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau blamed “agents of the government of India” for orchestrating the shooting.
The Indian government has called the claim “absurd” and asked Canada to withdraw more than 40 of its diplomats from the country – citing parity with the strength of Indian diplomats in Canada.
India had also stopped issuing visas to Canadian nationals, but later resumed them in a phased manner.