No Evidence, No Indian Link: The Truth Behind Nijjar’s Killing

The June 18, 2023, killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar outside the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia, has never involved the Indian state. India maintained this position firmly from the outset. Independent developments from Canadian and U.S. law enforcement now validate it clearly.

On July 8, 2026, U.S. authorities charged jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi and associate Satinderjeet Singh (Goldy Brar) with orchestrating the assassination. This formed part of a broad international crackdown on India-based organized crime syndicates involved in drug trafficking, extortion, murder-for-hire, and racketeering. The U.S. indictment names no Indian government officials or agents.

RCMP Deputy Commissioner Lisa Moreland stated to CBC News that the organized crime syndicate investigation yielded “no evidence” linking Indian government officials to the killing: “Nothing has come out to link the Indian government.”

This aligns with the 2024 arrests of four Indian nationals in Canada - individuals linked to the Bishnoi gang - charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy in the case. These were criminal operatives, not state-directed actors.

Trudeau’s Rush to Blame India: Baseless Allegations for Political Gain

In September 2023, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau publicly referenced “credible allegations” of Indian government involvement, sparking a major diplomatic row with expulsions and damaged ties. No hard evidence was ever shared publicly despite India’s repeated calls for it. Trudeau later acknowledged in testimony that the claims rested primarily on intelligence rather than “hard evidentiary proof.”

This approach appeared driven by domestic politics, including appeals to segments of the Sikh diaspora and coalition dynamics. It prioritized narrative over facts, harming Canada-India relations unnecessarily while sidelining the criminal dimensions of the case.

Nijjar: “Martyr” Narrative vs. Reality

Certain Khalistani-aligned groups and some gurdwaras continue to label Nijjar a “martyr” and press for probes into alleged Indian involvement, even as evidence points elsewhere. For instance, statements from places like the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara have echoed earlier Trudeau-era language instead of focusing on the identified perpetrators.

Importantly, this does not represent the broader Sikh community. The vast majority of Sikhs in Canada, India, and worldwide are law-abiding citizens who contribute positively to society, reject violence, and have no affiliation with separatism or gang activity. Sikh communities include successful professionals, entrepreneurs, and patriots in India (where Sikhs have held the highest offices, including Prime Minister). Radical Khalistani elements are a fringe that exploits grievances and should not be conflated with the community at large.

Nijjar was a prominent figure in pro-Khalistan activism. India had designated him a terrorist under its laws for alleged involvement in activities promoting sedition and violence in India. He denied the charges and framed his work as peaceful advocacy.

The Real Context: Gang Wars and Criminal Underworld in BC’s Punjabi Community

Investigations reveal the killing as part of ruthless organized crime dynamics. The Bishnoi syndicate - designated a terrorist entity by Canada in 2025 - specializes in cross-border drug smuggling, extortion rackets targeting diaspora communities, and targeted violence used to instill fear and facilitate crime. High-profile acts like this one allegedly bolstered their operations.

Punjabi-origin criminal networks in British Columbia have long been linked to drug trade control, extortion, and inter-gang rivalries. The evidence ties Nijjar’s death to these networks rather than any foreign state plot. Blaming India distracts from the urgent need to dismantle these syndicates that prey on communities, including law-abiding Sikhs.

India Was Right All Along – And These Developments Prove It Independently

India has always asserted it played no role in the killing and demanded evidence - which was never forthcoming in a manner that supported the initial claims. The RCMP clarification in the syndicate probe, U.S. charges focused solely on criminals, and prior arrests of gang-linked suspects independently align with India’s stance. These are outcomes of objective policing and international cooperation, not any need for external clearance.

Canada’s broader challenges include addressing transnational crime and ensuring its soil is not used for extremism or gang operations that endanger its own citizens. Radical fringes pushing separatism and conspiracy theories do a disservice to the Sikh community’s reputation and integration.

The facts now out in the open expose the hollowness of the original allegations against India. Justice requires pursuing the actual criminal networks responsible, without scapegoating or politicization. Most Sikhs, focused on faith, family, and prosperity, want the same: peace and accountability for real criminals, not manufactured geopolitical drama. Authored By- Dr. Mohit Sharma

(He is an Assistant Professor with University of Petroleum and Energy Studies (UPES), Dehradun. Dr. Sharma holds a Ph.D. in International Relations with research expertise in federalism in Pakistan and South Asian politics.)