One of the suspects accused of killing B.C. Sikh temple leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar entered Canada using a study permit that he claimed to have obtained in just a few days. Karan Brar applied for a student visa through EthicWorks Immigration Services in India’s Punjab state, and posted a video online in which he mentioned the quick processing of his permit. Immigration Minister Marc Miller has not provided details on how the suspects came to Canada, but online posts suggest that Brar arrived on a student permit three years prior to the killing. Brar was arrested in Edmonton along with two other suspects and appeared in court in Surrey, B.C. to face murder and conspiracy charges.
Two of the suspects allegedly shot Nijjar in the parking lot of Surrey’s Guru Nanak Sikh Temple while the third drove the getaway car. Nijjar was a prominent leader in the Khalistan movement, which aims for independence for India’s Sikh-majority Punjab state. India considers separatists as a threat to national security. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stated that Canada’s investigation found possible links to agents of the Indian government, an allegation that India has denied. The RCMP mentioned that multiple investigations were ongoing, including the suspected involvement of the Indian government. The three suspects are Indian citizens living in Edmonton.
The arrests have raised concerns about the immigration status of the men and criticism of government policies that have led to an increase in foreign students. There have been issues with housing and healthcare due to the surge in international student numbers, leading the government to promise a reduction in the program. Immigration Minister Miller imposed a cap on student visa intake for two years and placed restrictions on work permits for foreign students following reports of abuse. EthicWorks Immigration Services, based in Bathinda, India, highlighted the continued attraction of international students to Canada.
EthicWorks Immigration Services, founded by international students who immigrated to Canada, aims to assist individuals through the visa and immigration process. The company was registered in Canada in 2021, with directors registered with the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants. Both directors are licensed and have experience in immigration services. The arrests of the suspects risk further straining relations between New Delhi and Ottawa, coinciding with the interim report of the public inquiry into foreign interference in Canada’s elections. The report mentioned allegations of Indian proxy agents attempting to meddle in federal elections by providing illicit financial support to candidates.
The Canadian Security Intelligence Service’s annual report identified India, along with other countries, as major perpetrators of foreign interference and espionage in Canada. Canada and its allies are seeking accountability from the Government of India regarding its potential involvement in the killing of a Canadian citizen on Canadian soil. The tensions between the two countries have been exacerbated by speculation about foreign interference in domestic affairs. The investigation into Nijjar’s killing and the possible involvement of the Indian government are ongoing, further complicating the already strained relationship between Canada and India.
