Canada seeks to withhold sensitive national security evidence in Nijjar murder trial
Report says Federal Court notice shows Attorney General received four alerts in 2024 and 2025 flagging sensitive or potentially injurious evidence
After accusing Indian agents of involvement in the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, Canada’s justice department is now seeking to withhold certain sensitive national security evidence in the ongoing trial.
The case has remained a major irritant in India-Canada relations since then Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau first publicly alleged Indian involvement in September 2023.
According to Global News, federal lawyers representing Canada’s Attorney General have filed an application in Federal Court requesting permission to suppress specific evidence, arguing that its disclosure would be “injurious to international relations and national security.” The application was filed under Section 38 of the Canada Evidence Act.
The report further stated that a notice of application submitted to the Federal Court indicates the federal Attorney General received four notices during 2024 and 2025 flagging sensitive or potentially injurious information related to the case.
The British Columbia Prosecution Service, which is prosecuting the four accused, declined to comment on the Federal Court proceedings, saying the matter remains in the pretrial phase and is subject to a publication ban, Global News reported.
Nijjar was shot on June 18, 2023, outside the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in Surrey, where he served as president of the gurdwara management.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), according to Canadian media reports, believes India tapped mob boss Lawrence Bishnoi to arrange the killing.
In May 2024, two suspected shooters — Amandeep Singh and Karanpreet Singh — along with alleged getaway driver Karan Brar and a fourth suspect, Kamalpreet Singh, were arrested in Alberta and Ontario.
The initial tip implicating high-level Indian officials in the killing came from communications intercepted by the United Kingdom and shared with Canada by British intelligence, Global News has previously reported.
The move to seal portions of the evidence has drawn attention in legal and diplomatic circles, particularly as India has consistently maintained that Ottawa has failed to provide “specific and relevant” evidence to substantiate its allegations of Indian state involvement.
India has denied any role in Nijjar’s killing.
