A Canadian court has granted bail to four Indian nationals accused of murdering Sikh activist and Khalistan supporter Hardeep Singh Nijjar. The accused—Karan Brar, Amandeep Singh, Kamalpreet Singh, and Karanpreet Singh—were charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder.
The Nijjar killing occurred on June 18, 2023, when the 45-year-old was shot outside the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia. Nijjar, who was a leader of the Khalistan Tiger Force and labeled a terrorist by the Indian government, was a vocal proponent of Khalistani separatism.
The next hearing in the case has been scheduled for February 11, after the matter was moved to the British Columbia Supreme Court. The accused were arrested by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in May 2024 during coordinated operations across Canada.
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The trial has faced criticism over alleged insufficient evidence linking the four men to the murder. Canadian authorities have accused them of collaborating with agents of the Indian government to assassinate Nijjar, a claim strongly denied by New Delhi.
The Nijjar killing sparked a diplomatic row between India and Canada. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused the Indian government of involvement in the assassination, leading to a sharp decline in relations. India has dismissed the allegations as "baseless" and "politically motivated."
The case continues to draw international attention, highlighting tensions over Khalistani activism and its impact on India-Canada relations.
Ban on reporting pre-trial proceedings
A temporary ban on reporting pre-trial proceedings has been put in place. This was requested by the Crown and agreed to by the defense. The ban prevents public updates on discussions about case management and pre-trial motions.
“Some pre-trial motions will happen before the trial, but we don’t know yet how long the pre-trial process will take,” said an official from the Prosecution Service.
Impact on Canada
The release of the accused is being viewed as a setback for the Canadian government, especially after its earlier firm stance against India. Critics argue that delays and lack of strong evidence in the case have weakened Canada’s position.
The case has added tension to already strained India-Canada relations, largely affected by disagreements over Khalistani extremism. Nijjar’s killing has further divided Canada’s Sikh community, with some supporting his pro-Khalistan views and others opposing them.
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