Canada Court to hear ‘torture charges’ case against Capt today

Toronto, April 23

The Ontario Court of Justice will on Saturday hear the “torture charges” levelled against Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee president Capt Amarinder Singh by a US-based human rights advocacy group “Sikhs for Justice” (SFJ).

Earlier stories:

Amarinder writes protest letter to PM Trudeau

Amarinder cancels rallies in Canada

Singh, who is visiting the US and Canada, had to cancel his political rallies in Toronto and Vancouver scheduled for next week, following a request made by the Canadian Foreign Ministry.

The SJF had lodged a complaint with the Minister of Foreign Affairs that the visit of Singh is "potential violation" of the “Global Affairs Canada” (GAC) policy.

SFJ had lodged a complaint with the Canadian Government against the election activities planned by Amarinder.

"By targeting Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) living in Canada, canvassing for their votes and holding fundraising events in Toronto and Vancouver, Amarinder Singh would be violating the Canadian Government's policy," said the SFJ.

SFJ legal advisor Gurpatwant Singh Pannun told ANI over phone: “The purpose of a pre-enquete hearing is to determine whether there is sufficient evidence of “torture charges” levelled against the former Punjab chief minister to issue a summon or an arrest warrant requiring Capt Amarinder to stand trial before the Ontario Court.”

Singh had on Friday written a letter to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, protesting the denial of permission to hold interactive meetings with the Punjabis in Toronto and Vancouver.

In a strongly worded letter, Capt Amarinder said, he was disappointed over the “gag order” that has left a bad taste and wanted to know the grounds on which the permission had been denied to him. —ANI