New Delhi: as the diplomatic tensions between India and Canada simmered in the last few days, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has informed the Supreme Court about a conspiracy orchestrated by a Canada-based individual linked to the Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF) to assassinate Balwinder Singh Sandhu, a Shaurya Chakra award-winning teacher, in Punjab back in 2020.
This comes amid the heightened diplomatic row between the two countries, triggered by recent allegations surrounding the murder of Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
Sandhu, who was awarded for his bravery in combating militancy during the 1990s, was tragically shot outside his home in Tarn Taran for allegedly working against the Khalistan demand. According to the NIA’s affidavit, Sukhmeet Pal Singh, also known as Sunny Toronto, and Lakhveer Singh were the perpetrators commissioned to carry out his murder. Notably, Lakhveer Singh, according to the India Today report, is the nephew of the Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale.
The affidavit further mentioned that Singh and his co-perpetrator are currently evading arrest. It also stated that they had plotted to eliminate people opposing the Khalistani ideologies in a bid to refuel separatist movements in India.
The NIA emphasised that the Khalistan Liberation Force’s primary objective is to establish Khalistan through armed struggle, targeting those who oppose Bhindranwale’s ideology. Sandhu was deemed a significant threat due to his anti-Khalistan stance. “The main objective of the Khalistan Liberation Force is to create Khalistan by means of an armed struggle,” the NIA said in its affidavit.
To facilitate their plan, they allegedly reached out to an associate named Inderjit Singh in Punjab, seeking his assistance in the assassination of Sandhu.
The diplomatic fallout between India and Canada has deepened since Canada accused Indian diplomats of involvement in Nijjar’s murder. India has vehemently dismissed these allegations as “absurd” and “baseless,” asserting that Canada is sheltering anti-India elements. In retaliation, New Delhi has recalled its diplomats from Canada and expelled six Canadian diplomats.
Amid the diplomatic turmoil between India and Canada, Canadian Sikh leader Jagmeet Singh has called for severe sanctions against Indian diplomats and a ban on the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), labelling it a terrorist organisation. Singh’s demands come after he received a briefing from the Canadian government regarding its allegations against India.
“We demand that the Liberal government implement severe sanctions on Indian diplomats and banish the RSS, a violent, militant, terrorist organization from India, which is a group that operates here in Canada and other countries as well,” Singh said.
