External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday addressed the recent arrest of a fourth Indian national in Canada in the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Identified as Amandeep Singh by Canada’s Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT), the 22-year-old suspect was apprehended by authorities.
Responding to inquiries about the development, Jaishankar remarked, “I also read that another arrest has been made…We have long maintained that if any event or violence in Canada has any evidence or information that is relevant to be investigated in India, we are open to investigating it.” He further stated, “To date, we have never received anything specific or worthy of being investigated by our investigative agencies,” as quoted by ANI.
#WATCH | Mumbai | On 4th Indian arrested by Canada in Nijjar murder, External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar says, “I also read that another arrest has been made…We have long maintained that if any event or violence in Canada has any evidence or information that is relevant… pic.twitter.com/3eYBDNTppQ
— ANI (@ANI) May 13, 2024
IHIT’s statement revealed that the suspect was already in Peel Regional Police (PRP) custody in Ontario for unrelated firearms charges since May 4.
Superintendent Mandeep Mooker, Officer in Charge of IHIT, emphasised, “This arrest shows the nature of our ongoing investigation to hold responsible those that played a role in the homicide of Hardeep Singh Nijjar”.
Amandeep Singh’s apprehension follows the arrest of three other Indian nationals—Karan Brar (22), Kamalpreet Singh (22), and 28-year-old Karanpreet Singh—for Nijjar’s killing. Residing in Edmonton, all three persons faced charges of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder.
The strained ties between India and Canada stemmed from Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudea’s allegation of the “potential” involvement of Indian agents in Nijjar’s killing. India had dismissed Trudeau’s claims as “absurd” and “motivated”, highlighting Nijjar’s background as a Khalistani separatist wanted in India for various terror-related charges.
READ | Hardeep Singh Nijjar Killing Case: Fourth Indian Arrested In Canada For Suspected Role
