Just hours after India recalled its diplomats from Canada, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) accused New Delhi of being involved in "serious criminal activity" on Canadian soil. The RCMP alleged that agents of the Indian government are working with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang to target pro-Khalistani elements in Canada.
The allegations come at a time when the Lawrence Bishnoi gang is under scrutiny in India for its suspected role in the murder of former Maharashtra minister and NCP leader Baba Siddique.
In a press conference held late Monday, the RCMP claimed that its investigation into the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a pro-Khalistani figure killed in Canada last year, has uncovered alleged links to Indian government-backed "violent" activities in the country.
The RCMP’s statement followed Canada’s expulsion of six Indian diplomats, accusing them of being "persons of interest" in connection with the Nijjar murder probe. The Canadian government linked the diplomats to an ongoing investigation into Nijjar's death.
"Evidence suggests that various entities in Canada and overseas have been used by agents of the Indian government to gather information," the RCMP statement said. "Some individuals and businesses were coerced into cooperating, and the information collected is being used to target members of the South Asian community, specifically pro-Khalistani individuals."
In response to questions about whether the Sikh community in particular was being targeted, RCMP Assistant Commissioner Brigitte Gauvin said that while the South Asian community as a whole is being affected, pro-Khalistani elements are a "specific target."
Gauvin added that the RCMP believes organized crime groups, particularly the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, have been publicly linked to these actions and are connected to Indian government agents.
India Expels Canadian Diplomats as Tensions Escalate: Deadline Set for October 19