Three Indian nationals charged with the murder of Canadian Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar appeared in a Surrey, B.C., court. Sources close to the investigation tell CBC News they are affiliated with a gang led by alleged Indian gangster Lawrence Bishnoi.

Surrey

Three Indian nationals charged in the high-profile case involving the murder of Canadian Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar appeared via video link in a court in Surrey, B.C., where they were ordered to be held in custody. The individuals are reportedly linked to a gang led by the alleged Indian gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, a detail that sources close to the investigation have shared.

The arrest of these individuals has sparked significant protest and controversy, especially regarding India's alleged involvement in Nijjar's murder. Demonstrators gathered outside the courthouse to express their anger and concern over the case. Despite the public outcry, details about the accused men have been sparingly released by police.

Investigations have revealed a connection between the accused and a criminal network believed to be responsible for not only Nijjar's death but also the murder of Winnipeg man, Sukhdul Singh Gill, last September. Central figures in this network include Lawrence Bishnoi and Goldie Brar, the latter being a notorious gangster who has relocated to Canada and is among the country's most wanted criminals.

The network's operations reportedly extend beyond murder to high-level extortion activities within Canada. The Bishnoi gang's influence is so pervasive that even those not directly linked to the group exploit its name to carry out criminal activities. However, some individuals do have genuine connections to this organized crime group. The gang has also been accused of exploiting Canada's student visa system to facilitate the entry of members into the country.

Despite recent arrests, there is no belief among investigators that the broader criminal network operating within Canada has been dismantled. The ongoing investigation into the Bishnoi gang's activities underscores the complex and international nature of organized crime today.



Three Indian nationals charged in Nijjar murder trial

Outside a Surrey, B.C. courthouse, dozens of protesters gather angry at India's alleged role in the murder of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. On the inside, the three Indian men charged appeared by video link where they were ordered held in custody. Police have said little about them publicly. But sources close to the investigation have told CBC News they're affiliated with a gang led by this man, Lawrence Bishnoi. Indian media say Bishnoi began his criminal career while still a student, forming an alliance with another gangster known by the alias Goldie Brar. Brar would later relocate to Canada, becoming one of the country's most wanted. He's not a relative of Karan Brar, charged in the Nijjar murder, but investigators say very much a member of the same gang. That gang, sources say, also being investigated in the murder of a Winnipeg man, Sukhdul Singh Gill, last September. For the killing of the gangster in Canada... Both Bishnoi and Brar claimed responsibility for the killing. Sources have told CBC News they have evidence Gill was killed by the same hit squad that allegedly killed Nijjar. Several people that I know of have paid millions of dollars to these extortionists. Cashheed says despite these arrests, the Bishnoi gang's focus in Canada is high-level extortion, and their name so feared it's even used by non-members. I strongly believe that a lot of the copycats that are using the Bishnoi name don't have any connection whatsoever to that organized crime group, but I also believe some of them do have some type of relationship or connection to the Bishnoi organized crime group. Investigators have told CBC News that the Bishnoi gang, including the alleged hit squad, have used Canada's student visa system to get people into the country. They have no illusions that Friday's arrests have wrapped up the whole network in Canada. Evan Dyer, CBC News, Ottawa.

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