Canada’s Built-in Murder Investigation Group (IHIT) has notified the Indian Excessive Fee in regards to the arrest of 4 Indian nationals in reference to the probe into the killing of Khalistan separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar final 12 months.
The IHIT has instructed The Indian Express that it’s as much as the arrested males in the event that they want to converse to Indian authorities.
An investigating official mentioned it’s process for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police to inform the embassy if their residents/nationals are arrested. Responding to a questionnaire from The Indian Specific, David Lee of IHIT’s media relations group, mentioned, “IHIT has notified the embassy of the arrest however it’s as much as the 4 people to find out/select to talk to the consulate.”
The IHIT declined to touch upon how the 4 males entered Canada. “We are able to verify that they’re Indian nationals and had been in Canada wherever from three to 5 years,” Lee mentioned.
On Could 3, the IHIT arrested 22-year-old Karan Brar, 22-year-old Kamalpreet Singh, and 28-year-old Karanpreet Singh, all residing in Edmonton. In line with an IHIT assertion, they’ve been charged with first diploma homicide and conspiracy to commit homicide.
Ten days later, a fourth Indian nationwide, 22-year-old Amandeep Singh, was additionally arrested for his alleged position within the killing of Nijjar. Singh was already in custody for unrelated firearms expenses out of Peel Regional Police. He was additionally charged with related offences.
On Tuesday, three of the 4 appeared in individual for the primary time in a Canadian courtroom with the choose ordering them to haven’t any contact with a number of folks in the neighborhood.
Whereas Karan Brar, Kamalpreet Singh and Karanpreet Singh appeared in individual on the British Columbia Provincial Courtroom in Surrey, Amandeep Singh appeared by way of video hyperlink. The IHIT mentioned “they’ve been supplied with authorized counsel and have entry to attorneys who’re educated and educated to take care of issues similar to murder”.
“Upon their arrest, the IHIT investigative group takes their rights to counsel very severely… ensured they’d contact with the right sort of counsel,” Lee mentioned. Whereas the costs have been laid, the trial date has not been set but, the IHIT mentioned.
On being requested if it was crucial for the case file/chargesheet to be shared with the Indian authorities since they had been all Indian residents, the IHIT mentioned, “We do not need to share any data with the Indian authorities. In the event that they request it, it have to be from our Division of Justice to their equal department.”
Nijjar, 45, was killed outdoors a gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia on June 18, 2023. The Khalistan separatist was needed in India on varied terror expenses.