New Delhi:
Canada’s Royal Canadian Mounted Police claimed on Monday that “agents of the Government of India” use criminals – specifically referring to the Bishnoi gang – in that country to “target the South Asian community… particularly Khalistani elements as such”.
The allegation — of RCMP Commissioner Mike Doheny and his deputy, Brigitte Gavin — comes after a row erupted last year after Ottawa accused Delhi “agents” of involvement in the killing of Canadian citizen and Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Najjar. was accused of
“It (the Indian government) is targeting the South Asian community…but it’s specifically targeting pro-Khalistan elements in Canada. What we’ve seen from the RCMP’s perspective is that “They use elements of organized crime,” Ms Gavan said. Reporters
“It has been publicly attributed and specifically claimed by a crime group – the Bishnoi gang. We believe the group is linked to agents of the Government of India.”
# See | Ottawa, Ontario (Canada): “It (India) is targeting the South Asian community but they are specifically targeting the pro-Khalistan elements in Canada… from what we have seen, the RCMP From the point of view, they use elements of organized crime publicly attributed and… pic.twitter.com/KYKQVSx7Ju
— ANI (@ANI) 14 October 2024
When asked specifically if “agents of the Indian government” were being accused of “murder, extortion, intimidation and coercion”, Mr Duheim replied “yes”.
India has vehemently rejected it.”Funny expressions“, including Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accusing New Delhi of “supporting criminal activity against Canadians” and “coercive behavior targeting South Asian Canadians”.
The Foreign Ministry also rejected Ottawa’s claims that Sanjay Kumar Verma, posted as the Indian High Commissioner, and five of his staff are ‘persons of interest’. All six have been deported by Canada after Delhi claimed continued non-cooperation in its investigation.
Canadian police further claimed that some Indian diplomatic personnel work with organized crime elements in Canada – “through questionable and illegal methods – to collect information on Canadian citizens…”
Hours after the RCMP officers’ press conference, Mr. Trudeau spoke to reporters and doubled down on the allegations against the Indian government.
Read on After the India-Canada diplomatic row, Trudeau doubled down on the allegations.
“I think it’s clear that the Government of India has made a fundamental mistake in thinking that they can be involved in supporting criminal activities against Canadians here on Canadian soil. Whether it’s murder or extortion or other violent acts. This is absolutely unacceptable.” .
The charges coincided with sliding support and rising popularity ratings. Last week he survived a second parliamentary confidence vote in as many weeks ahead of the 2025 election.
India and Canada have exchanged a second round of diplomatic expulsions, though Delhi later said it was withdrawing its officials over security concerns. Delhi expelled Canada’s Acting High Commissioner Stewart Wheeler and his deputy.
Read on India, Canada expel diplomats in tit-for-tat move amid deepening rift
On the expulsion of its diplomats, Delhi said, “Sanjay Verma is India’s longest-serving diplomat”, and criticized the “strategy to malign India for political gain”.
The Bishnoi Gang – led by Lawrence Bishnoi from his jail cell in Gujarat’s Sabarmati Jail – has quickly become one of the country’s most feared criminal organizations.
It even has a base in Canada, where gangster Goldie Brar resides.
Read on How the attackers used processions and firecrackers to kill Baba Siddique.
The Bishnoi gang, with its vast network, has so far killed with impunity. The most recent murder was that of former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique.
Within India, the gang is known to be involved in murder and arms smuggling, and extorting money from high-profile targets such as Punjabi singers, the liquor mafia and other prominent businessmen. Reports say that his activities are enforced by an army of around 700 hitmen.
Read on Lawrence Bishnoi has 700 shooters. How does he work from prison?
The Canadian government has now claimed there are links between Indian government “agents” and the Bishnoi gang in connection with the murder of Najjar, who was shot dead outside a gurdwara in June.
With input from agencies
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(tag to translate) Royal Canadian Mounted Police (T) Hardeep Singh Najjar (T) Bishnoi Gang
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