Dozens charged with murder, extortion and more in crackdown on India

Dozens charged with murder, extortion and more in crackdown on India-based organized crime groups

Two dozen arrested in India-based organized crime gang crackdown, officials say

As we near the end of what appears to have been a day of explosive revelations, let's step back for a minute for the bird’s eye view of what we know.

It's important to separate the three separate indictments. The two non-Bishnoi indictments don't mention Lawrence Bishnoi, but because of the way the whole thing has been rolled out by authorities, they're being connected in the public mind. To that end, the three Canadians who will be asking for bail in B.C. Supreme Court on Thursday are accused of drug trafficking, not being part of the gang that allegedly ordered the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. And, none of the charges against them have been proven in court.

Also, thanks to the fifth estate's reporting, as well as details that have emerged from Immigration and Refugee Board proceedings held as recently as last month, we've learned that Canada's extortion crisis and the role of gangs have moved far beyond the allegations contained in the U.S. indictments.

The fifth estate has reported extensively on Bishnoi-linked allegations of corruption in the cricket world, culminating in the May shooting of a man who was allegedly a "main handler" for the gang.

And a police detective in Edmonton testified at an Immigration and Refugee Board hearing in May about a fracture between Lawrence Bishnoi and Goldy Brar which has impacted the way extortion is being carried out and how the extortionists are attacking each other and innocent victims.

All of this is to say that while authorities are taking a victory lap today, it remains to be seen how big an impact these arrests and charges will ultimately have on the extortion crisis plaguing Canada's South Asian communities. Hours before law enforcement officials announced the arrests, another house in Surrey, B.C., was hit by an extortion-related shooting.

The victims have been crying out for help and action. The last word on the success of Operation Hard Ball belongs to them.

Arrests open up 'a lot more questions' about Sikh activist's murder: political analyst

Political analyst and commentator Supriya Dwivedi told Power & Politics that Tuesday's news that two dozen people have been arrested for allegedly participating in three India-based transnational organized crime groups raises more questions than it provides answers. She also said Indo-Canadians 'deserve to know whether or not our people are safe.'

Today's stunning news came up during a panel on CBC's Power & Politics — and similar concerns to those voiced by Sikh communities came up around government transparency. One of the panelists, political analyst and commentator Supriya Dwivedi, said the news raises more questions than answers, especially when it comes to foreign interference and transnational crime and repression in Canada.

Indo-Canadians "deserve to know whether or not our people are safe," she said in her final comments.

A U.S. indictment bolstered Justin Trudeau’s claim that the killing of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada was carried out by the Indian government. We speak to other alleged targets and give exclusive insight into the plot.

In 2024, CBC’s the fifth estate obtained exclusive security video of Nijjar's killing.

The video was revealed in the fifth estate episode Contract to Kill and shows Nijjar was shot and killed by two men as he was leaving the parking lot of the Sikh temple. A U.S. court indictment later linked the killing to other assassination plots, including allegations that the Indian government was involved in the plots.

The documentary episode, which was banned in India after its publication, reveals the details of Nijjar’s final moments in exclusive interviews with eye witnesses and with his family.

Bishnoi gang leader charged with ordering Hardeep Singh Nijjar murder in B.C.

A co-ordinated crackdown against three organized gangs based in India led to 37 people being charged across the U.S., Canada and Europe. Power & Politics talks to RCMP Deputy Commissioner Lisa Moreland about the charges officially laid in the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

In an interview, RCMP Deputy Commissioner Lisa Moreland said the investigation found no evidence that Indian officials were involved in the crimes alleged in today’s announcement.

She added that the Indian government co-operated in the investigation.

Moreland said the operation is a "major blow" to the organized crime groups.

"Being able to take out the leadership, not only the top person but the next layer down, is significant in order to disrupt how they operate," she told CBC's Power & Politics.

Questions remain 2 years after the death of pro-Khalistan activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar

Questions remain years after the death of Hardeep Singh Nijjar

The Toronto-based Sikh Federation and the World Sikh Organization of Canada issued similar statements today expressing support for the operation, while also emphasizing that they have questions that remain unanswered.

"While welcoming today’s enforcement action, WSO is concerned that significant questions remain unanswered regarding the role of agents of the Government of India," the WSO statement says.

Let's quickly rewind: back in 2023, prime minister Justin Trudeau issued a stunning statement, saying evidence linked India's government to Nijjar's killing. Sikh groups maintain that the Indian government was involved in the killing of Nijjar, who was Sikh himself. India, meanwhile, has repeatedly and vehemently denied the allegations.

In light of today's revelations, Sikh organizations have reiterated their concerns and demanded more transparency from the Canadian government.

"The public has a legitimate interest in understanding whether investigators have identified links to foreign state actors and what institutional measures are being taken to dismantle those networks," the Sikh Federation wrote.

Magnitude of Bishnoi-related arrests 'can't be overstated': justice minister

Attorney General Sean Fraser said the quality of cross-border police work between the RCMP and its U.S. counterparts that led to the arrests of dozens of people linked to three prominent gangs, including the leader of the Bishnoi gang, has been 'extraordinary.'

While speaking with reporters, Justice Minister Sean Fraser said today was an "extraordinary day" full of "remarkable opportunity" to reduce the effects of organized crime in Canadian communities.

"The size of these crimes cannot be overstated," Fraser said. He repeatedly thanked the police agencies involved in the operation, including the RCMP.

Fraser didn't offer additional details about the situation, saying he wants to "protect the integrity" of the operation. But, he said more information will eventually be made public.

He also said this announcement will "send a message" to the implicated international criminal organizations, including the Bishnoi gang.

"We can come after them," he said.

Dhanda called out something to a group of people in the courtroom as he was led away by the sheriffs. The group, identified as family members of one of the accused, declined to comment, but one of them told me they were trying to figure out what was going on and get more information. They said they had seen the news out of the United States this morning but did not know how it was related to their family.

The judge is scheduling the bail hearing for Thursday. That means that the three men will all remain in custody at least until that point.

Court is adjourned for the day.

The two other men — Ravinder Singh Dhanda and Jaskarn Bagri — have been led into court and are seated in the dock for the accused, facing the bench. Dhanda is wearing a green T-shirt and black sweat pants. Bagri is wearing grey sweats. They both look a little shocked.

The judge is now here and court is in session.

First order of business: the judge has ordered a publication ban on anything arising from the extradition hearing, under the terms of the Extradition Act.

The ban means we won't be able to tell you any of the details and arguments given in court.

Dhanda is represented by veteran Vancouver defender Ian Donaldson. Bagri appears to be unrepresented at this point. Smagh is represented by Rishi Gill, another well-known criminal defence lawyer in B.C.'s Lower Mainland.

I'm now in B.C. Supreme Court in Vancouver where three of the Canadian accused are set to make an appearance. One of them, Gurtej Singh Smagh, has appeared on a video screen from what appears to be a police jail cell. His arms are crossed and he’s wearing a grey T-shirt. He has a beard and is bald. He just told a court worker that he won't need an interpreter.