In a startling revelation, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) have alleged that the Bishnoi gang, a notorious criminal organization, is linked to agents of the Indian government, which is targeting specific elements within the South Asian community in Canada, particularly “pro-Khalistani” individuals. The announcement was made during a press conference in Ottawa on Monday by RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme and his deputy, Brigitte Gauvin.
The allegations came just hours after India expelled six members of the Canadian High Commission in New Delhi, a move that followed Canada’s expulsion of six Indian diplomats. This diplomatic spat has escalated tensions between the two countries, with accusations of foreign interference adding to the strained relations.
Targeting pro-khalistan elements
When asked whether India was specifically targeting the Sikh community in Canada, Gauvin clarified, “It is targeting the South Asian community… but they are specifically targeting pro-Khalistani elements in Canada… members of the pro-Khalistan movement.”
Gauvin went on to describe how organized crime elements, including the Bishnoi gang, are allegedly being utilized to carry out these activities. “What we have seen, from an RCMP perspective, is that they use organized crime elements,” she stated.
According to the RCMP, this specific connection to Indian agents has been attributed to the Bishnoi group, a notorious criminal network. “We believe the group is connected to agents of the Government of India,” she added. However, Indian investigative agencies have linked Lawrence Bishnoi, a prominent figure in the gang, to several criminal activities within India.
Bishnoi Gang’s role and Indian connections
Lawrence Bishnoi, who has been accused of running an extensive extortion racket and being involved in smuggling operations, has been under scrutiny in India for years. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has named him in several high-profile cases, including the smuggling of arms from Pakistan. Bishnoi’s operations, which allegedly span across borders, are believed to be conducted from jails in India, where he has been detained.
The NIA has also pointed out that Bishnoi’s criminal network is closely linked with Goldy Brar, a Canada-based gangster. Brar, in turn, is said to have ties to the pro-Khalistan terror outfit Babbar Khalsa International (BKI). The nexus between organized crime syndicates and extremist elements has raised concerns about the complex web of illicit activities that extend beyond national borders.
Diplomatic expulsions and ongoing investigations
The RCMP’s comments come against the backdrop of a worsening diplomatic crisis between India and Canada. On the same day as the RCMP press conference, India announced the expulsion of six Canadian diplomats and recalled its High Commissioner from Ottawa. These actions followed Ottawa’s own decision to expel six Indian diplomats, in a dramatic escalation of hostilities.
At the heart of this dispute are allegations linking Indian agents to the assassination of Sikh extremist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June 2023. Canada had accused Indian agents of being involved in the killing, a claim that India vehemently denies. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s accusations in September 2023 strained bilateral relations, and India has repeatedly dismissed the allegations as “absurd.” New Delhi maintains that the real issue is Canada’s failure to curtail the activities of pro-Khalistani elements operating freely on its soil.
While the RCMP clarified that their latest remarks are not directly related to the Nijjar case, the mention of India’s involvement in targeting pro-Khalistan individuals has further fueled tensions. Commissioner Duheme explained that there are two distinct investigations: one focusing on the Nijjar case and another on broader national security concerns, including possible links to the Indian government.
Organized crime and national security
During the press conference, Duheme and Gauvin highlighted the RCMP’s ongoing efforts to combat organized crime and foreign interference in Canada. “The RCMP and other Canadian law enforcement agencies have investigated and charged a significant number of individuals for their involvement in homicides, extortions, and other criminal violence,” Duheme said.
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Gauvin provided specific figures, stating that approximately eight people have been arrested and charged in connection with homicides and 22 people in relation to extortions. Some of these individuals, she noted, have alleged connections to the Indian government. The RCMP is urging the public to report any instances of foreign interference, including threats made online or in person, to their local police authorities.
Gauvin also stressed that Indian diplomats and consular officials in Canada are expected to act within the framework of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, which governs the conduct of foreign representatives. “Indian diplomats are here to protect the interests of their nationals and not to be involved in criminal activity or the intimidation of individuals,” she remarked, adding that such actions contradict both international law and Canadian values.
The RCMP’s allegations linking the Bishnoi gang to Indian agents have intensified the already strained relations between Canada and India. While investigations continue, the claims of organized crime involvement in politically motivated targeting add a new layer of complexity to the diplomatic standoff. As both countries take reciprocal actions, the international community is closely watching the unfolding situation, with broader implications for global diplomacy and national security.
