In a firm assertion of the rule of law and its citizens' safety, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that Canada's justice system is one of the most robust and independent in the country following the charging of three Indian nationals with the murder of Khalistan separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian citizen. The latter was shot dead outside a gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia, on June 18, 2023.
The accused, namely Karan Brar, 22, Kamalpreet Singh, 22, and Karanpreet Singh, 28, who are all residents of Edmonton, were charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder.
While speaking in a Sikh heritage and culture gala in Toronto, Trudeau said Canada was steadfastly committed to upholding the rule of law while ensuring that no one is targeted in the country. He pointed out that the current investigations are still ongoing, and the RCMP is pursuing leads beyond the arrested individuals.
The gruesome incident has unnerved many in Canada's Sikh community, Trudeau admitted, repeating that every Canadian had the right to live without discrimination and violence.
India rejected Trudeau's earlier claims that India was involved in the killing of Nijjar, whom India labeled as a "terrorist" due to his links with Sikh separatist groups.
The collaborative efforts of the law enforcement agencies of Canada and the United States led to the arrest of the suspects, and police sources indicate that there are more arrests in the offing. While RCMP Assistant Commissioner David Teboul refused to speculate on possible links between the accused and Indian officials, the investigations are reportedly delving into alleged ties to the government of India.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, in reaction to the situation in Canada, “Canada did not give any proof. They do not share any evidence with us in certain cases, police agencies also do not cooperate with us. It is their political compulsion in Canada to blame India. As elections are coming in Canada, they indulge in vote bank politics."
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