Over half-a-dozen terror cases being probed by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) are awaiting responses from Canadian agencies and, according to a senior government official, the escalation in the diplomatic conflict between India and Canada may led to delays in solving these cases as chances of any response are diminishing.
In all cases, the NIA has filed charge sheets and investigations are ongoing. Sources said the NIA had sought information, details, and access from Canadian authorities, but has received “no favourable or positive” responses despite years of follow-up.
“There are cases beyond the attack on the Indian High Commission in Canada for which the NIA has requested assistance, as the prime accused and planning took place in Canada. We have been following up with Canadian authorities through diplomatic channels. Even after years of effort, Canada has not provided any positive or favourable response in any of the six cases that could aid in investigations,” a senior official involved in correspondence with Canada told News18 on the condition of anonymity.
Sources revealed that the NIA has shared details such as locations, identifying information, and the criminal involvement of various accused individuals based in Canada who are conspiring against India. Specific locations have been shared by the NIA which are safehouses for Khalistani terror groups. However, no action has been taken by local Canadian authorities.
The main case the NIA is probing involves the violent attack by a pro-Khalistani mob on the Indian High Commission in Ottawa in 2023. In this matter, the NIA identified individuals who targeted the High Commission and raised anti-India slogans. Amarjot was named in the FIR registered on June 16 last year under various sections of the IPC, the Explosive Substances Act, and the UA (P) Act. Investigations revealed that Amarjot led the protesters, raised anti-India slogans, tied a Khalistani flag to the boundary wall of the High Commission, and hurled two grenades inside the building on March 23, 2023.
In another case, NIA investigations found that Arshdeep Singh, alias Arsh Dala, conspired to execute terror-related activities from Canada. Technical investigations indicated that Dala was using Canada as a safehouse. He orchestrated terrorist attacks in various parts of Punjab and Delhi and was involved in a terror-gangster syndicate in India. Accused individuals Harry Maur and Harry Rajpura operated as sleeper cells and were harboured by Rajeev Kumar. The trio planned a series of terror attacks under Dala’s direction and funded by him, as revealed by NIA investigations.
The NIA arrested two of Dala’s key aides, Maur and Rajpura, on November 23, 2023, and Rajeev Kumar on January 12, 2024.
Additionally, in a case linked to Lawrence Bishnoi, the NIA found that terror conspiracies were orchestrated from Canada. Investigations indicated that Vikas Singh, an associate of Bishnoi, harboured terrorists, including those involved in the RPG attack on the Punjab Police Headquarters. Joginder Singh is the father of gangster Kala Rana, a close associate of Bishnoi. The agency’s investigations showed that the gang has established mafia-style criminal networks across several states in the country, involved in sensational crimes such as the murder of popular Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala, as well as attacks on religious and social leaders like Pardeep Kumar, in addition to large-scale extortion from businessmen and professionals.
NIA investigations have further revealed that many of these terror conspiracies were masterminded from abroad, including Pakistan and Canada.
Apart from these cases, a case against Gurupatwant Singh Pannun will also bear the brunt of the ongoing diplomatic conflict which may see further escalation.
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