Canadian Stands By Allegations Against India On Nijjar Killing; Arrested Suspect Used 'Study Permit' To Enter Country: Report

Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly reiterated Ottawa’s stance on the allegation that Indian agents were involved in the killing of pro-Khalistan figure Hardeep Singh Nijjar, designated a terrorist by India.

“Canada’s position has always been clear. Our job is to protect Canadians and we stand by the allegations that a Canadian was killed on Canadian soil by Indian agents,” Joly told the media on Tuesday.

Joly’s statement follows Canada’s arrest of three Indian nationals, accused of being part of an alleged hit squad responsible for Nijjar’s murder in British Columbia last year.

Karanpreet Singh, 28, Kamalpreet Singh, 22 and Karan Brar, 22, all Indian nationals, face charges of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder.

The Canadian foreign minister further stated that the investigation into Nijjar’s killing is being conducted by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau asserted in September last year that Indian government agents were involved in Nijjar’s shooting. However, India rejected these allegations, contending that Canada had not taken sufficient measures to curb the activities of Khalistani groups.

Suspect entered Canada using ‘study permit’

In a separate development, one of the suspects, Karan Brar, disclosed in a social media video that he entered Canada on a ‘study permit’, obtained within days, as reported by Canadian publication Global News.

Brar shared that he applied for a student visa through EthicWorks Immigration Services in Bathinda, Punjab, and received it shortly after.

The promotional video and a picture of Brar, whom the firm claimed hailed from Kotkapura, a city north of Bathinda, were posted on EthicWorks’ Facebook page. The caption below the video read, “Congratulations Karan Brar for the Canada study visa,” along with the statement, “One more happy client from Kotkapura.”

According to the publication, Canadian Immigration Minister Marc Miller declined to respond to inquiries regarding how the suspects entered the country. However, online posts suggest that Brar arrived on a student permit three years before the killing.