‘Probe on… not limited to 3 arrested’: Canadian PM Trudeau on Nijjar killing

Days after three Indian nationals were arrested over their alleged role in the killing of Khalistan separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who has claimed on multiple occasions New Delhi’s role in the death, said that the investigations are ongoing, as does a “separate and distinct investigation not limited to the involvement of the three people arrested”.

Referring to Canada as a “rule-of-law country,” he reassured Sikh Canadians that persecution will not be tolerated.

“This is important because Canada is a rule-of-law country with a strong and independent justice system, as well as a fundamental commitment to protecting all its citizens,” Trudeau was quoted as saying by Canadian Broadcasting Corporation on Saturday at the Centennial Gala hosted by the Sikh Foundation of Canada at the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto.

“As the RCMP stated, the investigation remains ongoing, as does a separate and distinct investigation not limited to the involvement of the three people arrested yesterday,” he added.

Trudeau noted that many in Canada’s Sikh community are feeling unsafe following Nijjar’s killing. He said, “Every Canadian has the fundamental right to live safely and free from discrimination and threats of violence in Canada.”

The three Indian nationals, all men in their 20s, were arrested on the charge of murder on Friday. Karan Brar (22), Kamalpreet Singh (22) and Karanpreet Singh (28), all Indian nationals residing in Edmonton, have been charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder.

As The Indian Express reported earlier, New Delhi will wait for details about the case and the individuals before commenting.

Meanwhile, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday said what is happening in Canada over the killing of Nijjar is mostly due to their internal politics and has nothing to do with India. He added that a section of pro-Khalistan people are using Canada’s democracy, creating a lobby and have become a vote bank.

The ruling party in Canada has no majority in Parliament and some parties depend on pro-Khalistan leaders, he said.

“We have convinced them several times not to give visa, legitimacy or political space to such people which is causing problems for them (Canada), for us and also for our relationship,” Jaishankar said, adding that the Canadian government has not done anything.

As the police in Canada suggested that more arrests are coming, RCMP Assistant Commissioner David Teboul, the force’s commander for the Pacific region noted that the force is “investigating connections to the government of India”.

The ties between India and Canada came under severe strain following Trudeau’s allegations in September last year of the “potential” involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Nijjar. India has dismissed Trudeau’s charges as “absurd” and “motivated.”

Nijjar, head of the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara Sahib in Surrey, Canada, was killed on June 18, 2023 after being shot by unidentified assailants on the premises of the gurdwara.

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