India
Bishnoi gang linked to Indian Govt agencies, says Canada
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) accused government of India on Monday of using criminal gangs, specifically the Bishnoi gang, to target the South Asian community, particularly pro-Khalistani elements, in Canada.
RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme and Deputy Commissioner Brigitte Gauvin claimed that agents of the Indian government were linked to organised crime, using such groups for extortion, intimidation, and even murder, NDTV reported.
The strained relations between Canada and India date back to September 2023, when Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau publicly accused India of being involved in Nijjar’s assassination on Canadian soil. Trudeau condemned India’s actions, stating that engaging in violent activities, including murder and extortion, on Canadian soil is unacceptable for any democracy.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) disclosed details of ongoing investigations into Indian government agents’ involvement in serious criminal activities, citing a growing threat to public safety. Since last year, over a dozen credible threats to members of the Khalistan have been identified. The RCMP revealed that Indian diplomats had used their official positions to collect information about Canadian citizens, which was then passed to criminal organisations responsible for acts of extortion and murder.
India has denied the allegations, calling them “preposterous” and accusing Canada of trying to smear its reputation for political gain. The Indian government has dismissed the accusations of involvement in Nijjar’s murder and other violent activities in Canada, asserting that there is no evidence to support the claims.
Nijjar was killed outside a Sikh temple in Surrey, British Columbia, in June 2023. The Indian government has long opposed the Khalistan movement, which is outlawed in India but receives support from some members of the Sikh diaspora. The RCMP continues to investigate the Nijjar case, seeking cooperation from India to fully uncover the details behind the assassination.
Meanwhile, the Bishnoi gang, led by Lawrence Bishnoi from prison in India, has become a powerful criminal organisation involved in murder, arms trafficking, and extortion. It is reportedly active in both India and Canada, with gangster Goldy Brar leading its operations in Canada. The gang’s most recent high-profile killing was of former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique.
