The case surrounding the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar took a significant turn as three Indian nationals residing in Edmonton appeared before a Canadian court for their alleged involvement in the crime. Karan Brar, Kamalpreet Singh, and Karanpreet Singh, all in their early twenties, faced charges of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder.
The arrest and subsequent court appearance of these individuals have reignited tensions between Canada and India, with Ottawa standing by its allegations of Indian agents’ involvement in Nijjar’s killing. Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly reiterated these allegations despite the lack of concrete evidence linking New Delhi to the crime.
During their court appearance, members of the Sikh community from British Columbia gathered outside the Surrey provincial court, expressing support for the accused and blaming India’s government for Nijjar’s death. Inside the courtroom, Judge Delaram Jahani presided over the proceedings, granting a no-contact order to prevent communication between the accused and several individuals named in the case.
The court’s decision to hear the case in English and the defendants’ understanding of the charges underscore the gravity of the accusations. If found guilty, the accused could face deportation under Canadian law.
The presence of hundreds of local Khalistan supporters at the courthouse highlighted the polarized sentiments surrounding this case. India, meanwhile, has criticized Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s recent comments at a Khalsa Day event, reiterating its stance that the accusations of Indian involvement in Nijjar’s murder are baseless and politically motivated.
Sources By Agencies
