Canadian Supreme Court Grants Bail to Four Accused in Nijjar Murder Case

CA
Published:

The Supreme Court of Canada has granted bail to four Indian nationals accused in the murder case of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. The ruling was made on January 9, 2025, after the court determined that there was insufficient evidence against the accused, leading to the issuance of their release order. The case is scheduled for further proceedings in a Canadian court on February 11, 2025.

The accused, identified as Karan Brar, Amandeep Singh, Kamalpreet Singh, and Karanpreet Singh, were charged in November 2024. Reports indicate that the Canadian police could not provide substantial evidence during the proceedings, prompting their appeal for bail, which was accepted by the Supreme Court. During the hearing, three of the accused participated via video conference, while one appeared through legal counsel.

Officials from the British Columbia Prosecution Service commented that pre-trial motions will occur before the actual trial, though the duration of this pre-trial period remains uncertain.

The development has raised eyebrows in India, with sources describing the situation as embarrassing for Canadian authorities. Tensions between India and Canada have intensified following Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's claims of credible allegations regarding India's involvement in Nijjar's death, which India has repeatedly denied as unfounded and motivated by political agendas.

Nijjar was fatally shot outside a Sikh gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia, on June 18, 2024.

Weekly Newsletter

News summary by melangenews

Loading...

More from Canada

Hitman Sentenced to Life for Murder of Sikh Businessman Ripudaman Malik

Tanner Fox, the hitman responsible for the 2022 murder of Sikh businessman Ripudaman Singh Malik, received a life sentence in Canada, according to a ruling by the British Columbia Supreme Court. Fox, who pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in October, was sentenced without the possibility of parole for 20 years. Malik was shot multiple times in his car outside his family's business in Surrey. During the sentencing, Malik’s family urged Fox to disclose the identities of those who hired him. "We plead with you to reveal the names of the people who hired you," stated Sundeep Kaur Dhaliwal, Malik’s daughter-in-law, in court. Malik had previously been acquitted in relation to the 1985 Air India bombing, which resulted in the deaths of 329 individuals, making it one of Canada's deadliest terrorist incidents. Fox’s sentencing comes amid continuing investigations into Malik's murder and the wider implications of organized crime within the Sikh community in Canada.
CA

Ongoing Struggles for Indigenous Land Rights in Canada

For over 150 years, Canada’s First Nations have been fighting for their land rights, yet progress remains elusive. Ron Lameman, president of the International Indian Treaty Council and a member of the Cree Nation, describes the current situation as a "total assault" by the Canadian government on Indigenous rights, threatening the historical agreements made with the British Crown. Lameman emphasizes that traditional territories are vital for cultural and subsistence practices, asserting, "Our land defines who we are." Despite recognition from the Supreme Court of Canada regarding Aboriginal Title, government officials continue to undermine these rights. Sharon Venne, a Cree Nation lawyer, insists that economic self-determination is crucial for overcoming poverty among Indigenous communities. "Our wealth from land rights can build a future for generations," Venne stated. The government's attempts to negotiate financial settlements for land rights have split opinions within Indigenous groups, with some rejecting payments in favor of retaining their rights. The struggle for recognition and justice, fueled by decades of marginalization, shows no signs of resolution.
CA

Rising Sea Levels Threaten British Columbia's Waterfront Properties

Experts warn that rising sea levels due to climate change could lead to significant declines in property values for waterfront homes in British Columbia, Canada. According to Climate Central's Coastal Risk Screening Tool, many coastal areas, including Vancouver and Richmond, could be submerged with a one-meter rise in sea levels, while a half-meter rise might occur as early as 2050, as reported by BCBusiness. John Clague, an earth sciences professor at Simon Fraser University, described the situation as "a potential disaster in slow motion." He highlighted the urgent need for measures to mitigate the effects of climate change, stating that without immediate action, the consequences will worsen. A 2023 report by the B.C. Financial Services Authority noted the increasing risks from natural hazards related to climate change, which threaten the financial stability of the real estate market. The report emphasized the importance of the financial services sector in providing guidance to consumers on how to protect their properties from these looming ecological threats.
CA
All Canada News ->