Three Individuals Arrested and Charged in Connection with Sikh Activist’s Murder in Canada

Last June, the killing of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in a Vancouver suburb’s busy car park sparked a significant diplomatic dispute between Canada and India. Masked gunmen fatally shot the 45-year-old, leading Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to suggest potential involvement by the Indian government, a claim vehemently denied by Delhi.

Recently, three Indian nationals were arrested and charged in connection with Nijjar’s killing, intensifying the ongoing investigation. The suspects—identified as Karan Brar (22), Kamal Preet Singh (22), and Karan Preet Singh (28)—were apprehended in Edmonton, Alberta, where they had been residing. They now face charges of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder, according to court records.

Police disclosed that the trio had been living in Canada for three to five years. Moreover, investigations are underway into possible links between the suspects and the Indian government, although officials emphasized that these inquiries are distinct from the ongoing criminal investigation.

Collaboration with Indian authorities has proven challenging for several years, complicating efforts to unravel the complexities surrounding Nijjar’s assassination. Despite these challenges, law enforcement officials haven’t ruled out the possibility of additional arrests or charges as the investigation progresses.

Hardeep Singh Nijjar was a vocal advocate for Khalistan, advocating for the establishment of an independent Sikh homeland in India’s Punjab region. His assassination reignited historical tensions rooted in the 1970s Sikh separatist insurgency, which claimed thousands of lives before its suppression in the subsequent decade. While India has labeled Nijjar as a terrorist, his supporters maintain that such accusations are baseless and politically motivated.

Nijjar’s murder, which occurred at the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in Surrey, underscored concerns over the safety of Sikh activists and heightened tensions within the community. Friends and associates of Nijjar revealed that he had received prior warnings from Canadian intelligence about threats to his life, heightening anxieties over potential reprisals.

Despite progress in the investigation, concerns over public safety persist within the Sikh community, exacerbated by lingering tensions and unresolved questions surrounding Nijjar’s assassination. Trudeau’s earlier remarks alleging Indian state involvement added a diplomatic dimension to the issue, prompting strong denials from Indian officials and strained relations between the two nations. The fallout from the dispute led to diplomatic measures, including the reduction of Canadian envoys in India and mounting pressure on Trudeau to substantiate his claims of Indian involvement.