Three Indian nationals accused of murdering Khalistan separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in 2023 have made their first in-person appearance in a Canadian court. Karan Brar (22), Kamalpreet Singh (22), Karanpreet Singh (28), and Amandeep Singh (22) appeared before the British Columbia Provincial Court in Surrey, with the judge ordering them to have no contact with several individuals in the community.
Nijjar, a 45-year-old Sikh activist, was shot and killed outside the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in Surrey on June 18, 2023. His death sparked outrage and protests within the Sikh community, both in Canada and India.
The ties between India and Canada came under strain following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's allegations of potential involvement of Indian agents in Nijjar's killing. The Indian government has denied these allegations.
The four accused appeared in court wearing red prison sweatsuits. Judge Mark Jette placed them under a no-contact order before adjourning the case until June 25. Richard Fowler, the lawyer representing Karan Brar, emphasized the importance of a fair trial and the need to ensure that the community's interest in the case does not compromise the defendants' rights.
Attendees at the hearing were subjected to security checks, with phones being placed in plastic bags and recording devices prohibited. Hundreds of local Sikhs carrying Khalistan flags and posters gathered outside the courthouse in support of Nijjar and the Sikh separatist movement.
The case has drawn international attention, with concerns raised about the potential for further tensions between India and Canada. The next hearing is scheduled for June 25, and the outcome of the trial is expected to have significant implications for both countries.
Tags: #Khalistan, #HardeepSinghNijjar, #IndianNationals, #CanadianCourt, #SikhActivist
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