Surrey: The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) has made significant progress in the case of the tragic murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, announcing the arrest and charging of three suspects on May 3, 2024.
The fatal shooting of Bhai Hardeep Singh Nijjar occurred on June 18, 2023, outside the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in Surrey, BC. Bhai Nijjar, 45, was found with fatal gunshot wounds inside his vehicle.
Who Are Arrested Accused:
The accused, identified as 22-year-old Karan Brar, 22-year-old Kamalpreet Singh, and 28-year-old Karanpreet Singh, all residents of Edmonton, have been charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder in relation to Bhai Nijjar’s assassination.
The arrest of the suspects was made possible through collaborative efforts between IHIT, the Surrey RCMP, and the Edmonton Police Service, officials said during a press conference.
About Nature of Evidence:
Assistant Commissioner David Teboul said- “[w]e are not able to make any comments about the nature of the evidence collected by police nor can we speak about the motive behind the murder of Mr. Nijjar. However, understanding this situation has attracted considerable and very broad public interest, I will say this matter is still very much under active investigation”.
What Officials said about Connections to the Govt. of India:
“I will underscore that today’s announcements are not a complete account of the investigative work currently underway. There are separate and distinct investigations ongoing into these matters, certainly not limited to the involvement of the people arrested today, and these efforts include investigating connections to the Government of India”, Assistant Commissioner David Teboul said.
Authorities Seek More Information:
IHIT is urging anyone with information related to the case to come forward. “We are aware that there could be others out there that played a role in this homicide and we remain dedicated to identifying and arresting each one of them,” Superintendent Mandeep Mooker, Officer in Charge of IHIT, said.
Photographs and Video Footages Released:
IHIT has released photos of the accused individuals, and certain video footage of vehicles used by suspects seeking further information from the public.
Accused Linked Lawrance Bishnoi Gang:
Earlier on May 3, CBC reported on the arrests made by the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) regarding the homicide case of Bhai Hardeep Singh Nijjar. CBC reported citing undisclosed sources familiar with the investigation, the arrested individuals are allegedly connected to the Lawrance Bishnoi gang. However, official statements from IHIT did not address this aspect of the investigation.
Indicative Indian States’s Nexus with Criminals:
Contrary to Indian government propaganda, which attempts to link Sikh freedom movements with criminal elements, the arrests in the Nijjar case suggest a different narrative. Canadian media reports say that the arrested individuals are associated with Lawrance Bishnoi gang. Gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, currently incarcerated in a jail in Gujarat state of India, from where he is believed to have been operating his gang. It is indicative of possible nexus between operatives of the Indian government and criminals.
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