Amandeep Singh, a 22-year-old Indian citizen living in Ontario, has been arrested for his alleged involvement in the murder of B.C. Sikh temple leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has linked the killing to the Indian government. Singh, along with three other suspects, is believed to be one of the gunmen who shot Nijjar outside the Guru Nanak Sikh Temple in Surrey in June 2023. Nijjar, a prominent leader in the Khalistan movement, had long been accused by the Indian government of leading a terrorist group, although no credible evidence was ever produced.
The charges against Singh come after the arrests of three other suspects, all Indian nationals, in Edmonton. Like his co-accused, Singh arrived in Canada on a temporary visa but allegedly became involved in violent crime. The suspects are suspected to have links to India’s violent Bishnoi crime group. Singh was previously charged with firearms and drug offences in Brampton in November 2023. During the arrest, police seized a 9mm pistol with a 24-round extended magazine and other firearms-related items. His past arrests raise questions about the presence and activities of individuals linked to the Indian government in Canada.
Those close to Nijjar have blamed the Indian government for his killing, alleging it was an act of transnational repression. Trudeau publicly stated that there was credible evidence of Indian government involvement in Nijjar’s murder, similar to a FBI-uncovered plot where an Indian intelligence agent allegedly hired a drug trafficker to kill one of Nijjar’s associates. The arrests have fueled speculation about the motives behind India’s actions in Canada and the extent of foreign interference in Canadian affairs. The RCMP is still investigating the suspects’ connections to the Indian government and the overall implications of their presence in the country.
Canada’s national security agencies have been investigating a trend where foreign intelligence services outsource killings to crime groups in Canada. The Canadian Security Intelligence Service named India as one of the major perpetrators of foreign interference and espionage in Canada, alongside China, Russia, and Iran. Critics have pointed to Liberal government policies that have led to an increase in temporary residents in Canada. Allegations of Indian government involvement in criminal activities in Canada have raised concerns about the country’s sovereignty and national security. The ongoing investigations are expected to shed light on the extent of foreign interference in Canada.
The arrests of Amandeep Singh and his co-accused have highlighted the complex relationships between Canada and India, especially in light of the Khalistan movement and ongoing tensions between the two countries. The suspects, including Singh, have been linked to violent crime and alleged involvement with a criminal group associated with India. The case has prompted a reexamination of Canada’s immigration policies and national security measures, as well as calls for increased vigilance in monitoring foreign interference. The outcome of the investigations into the suspects’ activities and connections to the Indian government is expected to have significant implications for Canada-India relations and domestic security measures.
