CHANDIGARH/NEW DELHI: More than 23 gangsters from Punjab are currently based in Canada and a list of “most-wanted” has been already shared with the Canadian government and its intelligence agencies. These gangsters are reportedly moving to Canada on fake Portuguese passports.
As per the 2021 census, Sikhs account for 2.1% of Canada’s population and its fastest-growing religious group. After India, Canada is home to the largest population of Sikhs in the world. The Sikhs have reached top political and law enforcement positions in that country.
On June 18, Canada-based pro-Khalistani and a designated terrorist, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, was shot dead at the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in the Punjabi-dominated Surrey city of British Columbia reportedly by two unidentified assailants.
Nijjar, originally from Bhar Singh Pura village in Jalandhar, had gone to Canada in 1997 and worked as a plumber. Nijjar was wanted in at least four NIA cases, including a conspiracy to kill a Hindu priest at Phillaur in Punjab, and a red corner notice was also issued by Interpol against him.
Nijjar was a mentor of gangsters Arshdeep Singh Dalla, Goldy Brar and Rinku Bihla. He along with Pakistan-based Lakhbir Singh Rode and Australia-based Gurjant Singh was involved in several contract killings in Punjab.
Sources said that three dozen cases have been registered against Arshdeep Singh Dalla with close links with Khalistan Tiger Force ever since he moved to Canada on July 8, 2020. He is living with his wife and daughter in Surrey.
Goldy Brar, wanted by Punjab Police in connection with the murder of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala, is a main member of Lawrence Bishnoi's gang. Goldy Brar fled to Canada in 2017 and about one dozen cases were lodged against him.
Former CM Amarinder Singh said he brought it to the notice of Justin Trudeau when he came to visit Amritsar in 2018. He said he had told Trudeau as to how Canadian soil was being used against India.
Gangsters from Punjab in Canada
ALSO READ