By Micah Jonah
March 3, 2026
Sikh advocacy groups in Canada have condemned new allegations that Indian consular officials were linked to the 2023 killing of Canadian Sikh activist, Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
The World Sikh Organization of Canada (WSO) said it was “deeply disturbed” by a report in The Globe and Mail, which cited unnamed law enforcement and national security sources alleging that Indian consular staff in Vancouver supplied information that assisted in Nijjar’s assassination.
What the Report Alleges:
According to the newspaper, a visa officer at India’s Vancouver consulate reportedly linked to India’s external intelligence agency, the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) gathered intelligence on Nijjar and passed it to contacts in New Delhi.
The information was allegedly shared with members of the Bishnoi gang, a criminal group accused of violent crimes in Canada. A Canada-based member of the gang is said to have helped arrange the fatal shooting.
Nijjar was shot outside a Sikh gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia, in June 2023. He was a prominent advocate of the Khalistan movement, which calls for an independent Sikh state in India’s Punjab region.
India Denies Allegations:
India has repeatedly denied involvement in Nijjar’s killing or in any acts of transnational violence.
Periasamy Kumaran, a senior official in India’s Ministry of External Affairs, said New Delhi “categorically rejects allegations of involvement in transnational violence or organized crime,” calling the claims “baseless” and politically motivated.
India had previously designated Nijjar as being involved in terrorism, a claim rejected by his supporters.
Calls for Accountability:
The WSO described the allegations as a “grave attack on Canadian sovereignty” and urged Canadian Prime Minister, Mark Carney to ensure that investigations extend beyond the suspected gunmen to anyone who may have directed the killing, including officials in India.
The renewed controversy comes as Carney concluded a visit to India, where he met Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss trade and bilateral ties.
The case previously triggered a diplomatic crisis after former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Ottawa was investigating “credible allegations” linking Indian agents to the killing.
Ongoing Investigations:
Canada’s federal police force, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), has said it is investigating alleged involvement of Indian government agents in serious criminal activity in Canada, including threats and homicides.
Canadian Foreign Minister, Anita Anand declined to comment directly on the new allegations, citing ongoing criminal proceedings. She said Canada would continue collaborating with India on national security and law enforcement matters.
The case remains under active investigation, and tensions between the two countries continue amid broader concerns about foreign interference and the safety of Sikh activists in Canada.
