Appearing via video link in orange prison uniforms, the three accused, Karanpreet Singh, 28, Kamalpreet Singh, 22, and Karan Brar, 22, all Indian nationals, face charges of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder. The victim, Ripudaman Nijjar, 45, was fatally shot outside a Sikh temple in Surrey, a Vancouver suburb with a significant Sikh population, in June last year. The killing sparked a diplomatic crisis between Canada and India, with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau suggesting evidence pointed to the involvement of the Indian government in Nijjar’s death. Canadian police have since launched an investigation into possible ties between the three accused and the Indian government. India has vehemently denied any involvement in Nijjar’s demise. Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar stated that India would await the sharing of information regarding the accused by Canadian authorities. Notably, Nijjar was a Canadian citizen advocating for the establishment of Khalistan, an independent Sikh homeland separate from India. The presence of Sikh separatist groups in Canada has been a source of tension with New Delhi, which has labeled Nijjar a ‘terrorist.’ Canadian Sikh leaders have urged Canada to investigate alleged Indian interference in Canadian matters. Moninder Singh, a longtime friend of Nijjar, expressed mixed emotions regarding the arrests, describing them as ‘bittersweet.’ The developments underscore the ongoing tensions between Canada and India over the murder of Ripudaman Nijjar and concerns about foreign interference in Canadian affairs.
Canadian Sikh Leader Murder: Three Accused Appear in Court
