Canadian media refutes claims of bail for Indian accused in Hardeep Singh Nijjar murder case
PTC Web Desk: In a significant development in the murder case of Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, Canada's largest news agency, CBC News, has refuted claims made by several Indian media outlets about bail being granted to the four Indian suspects. CBC stated that these reports are inaccurate, asserting that none of the accused has been released from custody.
According to CBC News, reports circulated on Thursday in Indian media suggesting that the accused were released after charges against them were dropped. However, CBC quoted BC Prosecution Service spokesperson Anne Seymour, who clarified that the accused remain in custody and that the reports of their bail are baseless. The next court proceedings, a pretrial conference, are scheduled for February 11, followed by another appearance on February 12.
Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar was fatally shot outside a gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia, in June 2023. Two unidentified assailants on motorcycles attacked Nijjar while he was in his car in the gurdwara’s parking lot, leaving him no time to escape.
The Canadian authorities arrested four Punjabi youths in connection with the murder. The case escalated tensions between India and Canada after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused Indian agents of involvement in the Nijjar killing case. This accusation strained diplomatic relations between the two nations.
Notably, Hardeep Singh Nijjar was listed as a "most wanted" terrorist by the Indian authorities, accused of involvement in multiple violent incidents in India, including the attack on Hindu priest Kamaldeep Sharma in Jalandhar in 2021. The NIA had issued a lookout notice and a red corner notice against Nijjar in 2015 and 2016, respectively, and declared Rs 10 lakh reward for information on him.
- With inputs from agencies
