'Had Sikh surname, so became target’: Sandeep ‘Sunny’ Sidhu, Canadian officer, sues Indian govt, seeks $9 million damages

A longtime Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) superintendent has launched a $9-million lawsuit against the government of India, alleging it orchestrated a campaign of disinformation that derailed his career and put his life at risk, reports globalnews.ca

Sandeep Singh “Sunny” Sidhu, a B.C.-born CBSA officer with two decades of service, filed the claim in Ontario Superior Court on Tuesday.

He accuses Indian authorities of falsely portraying him as a fugitive terrorist in an effort to inflame tensions and discredit Canada.

India has consistently rejected accusations that it has targeted Canadians through misinformation.

According to the statement of claim, drafted by Toronto lawyer Jeffrey Kroeker, Sidhu became a target because of his Sikh surname and his high-visibility role in border security. The suit argues that he was wrongly depicted as a dangerous Khalistani extremist employed by the Canadian government.

The allegations became public last October, when Indian media outlets broadcast claims identifying Sidhu as a “dreaded terrorist” and a wanted fugitive linked to banned organisations and violent acts. The narrative spread rapidly on social media, where users circulated his personal information and issued death threats demanding his extradition—or worse.

Sidhu had previously maintained a low profile aside from brief appearances on the TV series Border Security: Canada’s Front Line, says the sudden onslaught forced him into hiding.

The stress, the lawsuit states, led to a decline in his mental health and alcohol dependency, prompting him to seek treatment at Vancouver’s St. Paul’s Hospital.

The claim also accuses the CBSA of mishandling the situation. Instead of protecting him, Sidhu alleges, the agency dismissed the threats as unrelated to his work and subjected him to intrusive internal checks, including requests for privacy waivers. He was suspended during the investigation, though he was eventually cleared of wrongdoing and reinstated. The lawsuit contends the CBSA “did nothing to help him” and even minimised the seriousness of the threats.

In a previous statement to CBC News, the CBSA confirmed Sidhu remained employed and said it had no evidence supporting the allegations made against him.

Sidhu is seeking compensation for reputational damage, lost income, and psychological harm. The CBSA is named as a co-defendant for alleged negligence.

A preliminary court hearing is scheduled for early 2026.