Indian-origin Sikh held in US for plotting to burn down gurdwara

New York, March 11

A 60-year-old Indian-origin Sikh man has been arrested in the US for allegedly attempting to hire people to shoot multiple people and burn down a prominent Gurdwara in California, according to media reports.

Rajvir Raj Singh Gill, a former Bakersfield City Council candidate, was arrested on March 4 for allegedly targeting one of Bakersfield’s largest Sikh places of worship, Gurdwara Shaheed Baba Deep Singh Ji Khalsa Darbar, and burning down the property, bakersfield.com portal reported.

Gill was arrested in connection with six counts of criminal threats after officers executed a search warrant at his residence, the report said. The Bakersfield Police Department said in addition to offering someone money in exchange for burning down the gurdwara, Gill tried to pay people to shoot others who he had an ongoing dispute with, 23abc.com portal reported.

Gill had attempted to run for City Council Ward 7 against Manpreet Kaur in 2022. Kaur won the election and was the first Sikh Punjabi woman elected to the Bakersfield City Council, the report added.

Kaur, who won the seat for Ward 7, issued the following statement: “I am aware of the alleged allegations. I am confident the Bakersfield Police department is working diligently to keep our community safe and will address the matter accordingly. Hearing this news is distressing and frightening. This is one of our most highly attended Sikh temples locally. To hear of an alleged attempt to destroy a place of worship is heartbreaking and unfathomable.” — PTI

‘Former city council candidate’

• Rajvir Raj Singh Gill, a former Bakersfield City Council candidate, was arrested
• He allegedly targeted Bakersfield’s Gurdwara Shaheed Baba Deep Singh Ji Khalsa Darbar
• Gill had attempted to run for Bakersfield City Council in 2022 but lost his bid to Manpreet Kaur
• Gill was arrested in connection with six counts of criminal threats