Canadian court grants bail to 4 Indians in Nijjar murder case

A Canadian court has granted bail to four Indian nationals accused of killing Khalistan separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

The accused—Karan Brar (22), Amandeep Singh, Kamalpreet Singh (22), and Karanpreet Singh (28) —were charged with first-degree murder and a conspiracy to commit crime in connection with Nijjar’s death in 2024.

On June 18, 2023, Nijjar was shot dead in the parking lot of Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia.

His assassination has been a focal point of diplomatic tension between Canada and India, with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleging potential involvement of Indian agents in the killing — an accusation that New Delhi has consistently denied.

The bail is seen as a setback for the Canadian Government, with reports indicating delays in the prosecution’s presentation of evidence during preliminary hearings.

Critics argue that these delays and the perceived lack of substantial evidence have undermined Canada’s position on the matter.

The Surrey Provincial Court granted them bail ahead of the trial in British Columbia Supreme Court. The next hearing is scheduled for February 11.

The Canadian Government has issued a “direct indictment”, moving the case from Surrey Provincial Court to the British Columbia Supreme Court. This process skips a preliminary inquiry, thus fast-tracking the case to trial.

As per media reports, the court documents revealed that the accused were released under a “stay of proceedings” while awaiting trial.

Adding complexity to ongoing investigation

This development adds a new layer of complexity to the ongoing investigation and diplomatic discourse between Canada and India. The international community continues to monitor the situation closely, given its implications for bilateral relations and the broader geopolitical landscape.

The Canadian Prime Minister had claimed that he had “credible evidence” of India’s hand in the killing of Nijjar on Canadian soil.

India has denied all allegations, calling them “absurd” and “motivated” and has accused Canada of giving space to extremist and anti-India elements.

Focal point of diplomatic tension

Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s assassination on June 18, 2023, has been a focal point of diplomatic tension between Canada and India, with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleging potential involvement of Indian agents — an allegation denied by New Delhi