In an explosive allegation on Monday, Canada’s Royal Canadian Mounted Police claimed that “agents of the Government of India” used criminals – specifically referring to the Bishnoi gang – to target “the South Asian community… particularly Khalistani That country to target “supporting elements”.
The charges by RCMP Commissioner Mike Duhain and his deputy Brigitte Gauvin follow a sharp escalation in the controversy that erupted last year after Ottawa accused Delhi “agents” of being involved in the killing of Canadian citizen and Khalistani militant Hardeep Nijjar. It has been going on since.
Assistant Commissioner Gauvin said, “It (the Indian government) is targeting the South Asian community… but they are specifically targeting pro-Khalistan elements in Canada. What we have seen from an RCMP perspective is that organized crime Let’s use the elements.” Told reporters.
“This has been publicly attributed and claimed specifically by an organized crime group – the Bishnoi gang. We believe this group is linked to agents of the Government of India.”
#Watch Ottawa, Ontario (Canada): “It (India) is targeting the South Asian community, but they are specifically targeting pro-Khalistan elements in Canada… What we have seen, from an RCMP perspective, they are organized The crime elements are publicly held accountable and… pic.twitter.com/KYKQVSx7Ju
– ANI (@ANI) 14 October 2024
When asked specifically whether “agents of the Government of India” were being accused of “murder, extortion, intimidation and coercion”, Mr Duhem answered unequivocally “yes”.
The Indian government has strongly rejected what it calls “absurd accusations” by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accusing New Delhi of “supporting criminal activity against Canadians” and “targeting South Asian Canadians.” This also includes alleging “coercive behaviour”.
A Foreign Ministry statement also rejected Ottawa’s claims that Sanjay Kumar Verma, posted as Indian High Commissioner, and five of his staff are ‘persons of interest’.
They have been linked to claims that some Indian diplomatic staff worked with organized crime elements in Canada to “collect information about Canadian citizens through dubious and illegal means… (which is fed to criminal organizations) which Then they take action ranging from extortion to violence.” To kill”.
Hours after the RCMP officers’ press conference, Mr. Trudeau spoke to reporters and repeated the allegations against the Indian government.
Read | Charges against Trudeau doubled after India-Canada diplomatic row
He said, “I think it’s clear that the Indian government made a fundamental mistake in thinking that they could support criminal activities against Canadians on Canadian soil. Whether it’s murders or extortion or other violent acts.” , This is absolutely unacceptable.” ,
The allegations coincided with declining support and declining popularity ratings; Last week he survived a second parliamentary confidence vote, several weeks before the 2025 election.
India and Canada have exchanged a second round of expulsions of diplomats, although Delhi later said it was withdrawing six of its officials due to security concerns. Delhi has removed Canada’s acting High Commissioner Stewart Wheeler and his deputy.
On the expulsion of its diplomats, Delhi said, “Sanjay Verma is India’s most senior serving diplomat with a distinguished career spanning 36 years”, and called the old and new allegations a “strategy to defame India for political gains”.
The Bishnoi gang – led by Lawrence Bishnoi from his prison cell in Gujarat’s Sabarmati jail – has rapidly become one of the most dangerous criminal organizations in the country, and even has a base in Canada, where Gangster Goldie Brar is located.
Read | How shooters used procession and firecrackers to kill Baba Siddiqui
The Bishnoi gang, with its vast network, has so far committed murders with impunity; The most recent murder was that of former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddiqui.
Within India the gang is believed to be involved in murder and arms smuggling, and extortion of money from high-profile targets such as Punjabi singers, liquor mafia, other prominent businessmen. Reports state that its activities are enforced by an army of approximately 700 hitmen.
Read | Lawrence Bishnoi has 700 marks. How does he work from jail?
The Canadian government has now claimed links between Indian government “agents” and the Bishnoi gang in connection with the murder of Nijjar, who was shot dead outside a gurudwara in June.
with inputs from agencies
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