India Reacts to Canadian Police Comments on Nijjar Case
On Tuesday, India responded to statements made by a senior Canadian police official regarding the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. The remarks matched recent claims made by U.S. authorities that linked the killing to the Lawrence Bishnoi organized crime group. India also clarified that any extradition requests from the U.S. would follow established legal procedures.
During the weekly media briefing, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal mentioned that India had noted comments made by Deputy Commissioner Lisa Moreland of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). These comments followed coordinated efforts last week to address transnational organized crime.
“We have acknowledged the RCMP Deputy Commissioner’s remarks, as they align with the recent U.S. indictment connecting the event to members of the Bishnoi organization,” Jaiswal stated.
This reaction came shortly after the U.S. Department of Justice unveiled an indictment under “Operation Hard Ball,” which accused gangster Lawrence Bishnoi and his Canada-based partner, Goldy Brar, of ordering Nijjar’s assassination in June 2023 outside a gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia.
Moreland noted that the investigation into organized crime did not uncover any ties between the Indian government and Nijjar’s death, attributing the responsibility solely to the Bishnoi gang.
Jaiswal reaffirmed India’s dedication to collaborating with international partners to combat organized crime and terrorism. He emphasized the ongoing cooperation between India and the United States in addressing these issues, highlighting their shared commitment.
When asked about whether the U.S. had approached India regarding the extradition of any individuals named in the indictment, including Bishnoi, Jaiswal stated that such matters would follow usual legal and judicial processes.
U.S. officials had indicated they plan to seek extradition for Bishnoi and others mentioned, although no formal request has been made public yet. Importantly, the U.S. indictment does not implicate the Indian government in Nijjar’s murder.
This clarification from Canadian authorities is seen as significant, especially after former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had earlier suggested a “potential link” between Indian agents and Nijjar’s death. This claim had led to a diplomatic crisis between India and Canada.
