Three men from Edmonton accused of the murder of a Sikh activist in Surrey were seen via video in a crowded courtroom on Tuesday in Surrey provincial court.
The three — Karan Brar, 22, Kamalpreet Singh, 28, and Karanpreet Singh, 22 — each appeared separately from North Fraser Pretrial Centre wearing jail-provided red T-shirts or sweatshirts and sweatpants.
All three agreed to have the proceedings in English and nodded to show they understood the charges of first-degree murder and plotting to kill Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
Nijjar, who advocated for establishing a separate Sikh homeland called Khalistan in India, was shot as he left Surrey’s Guru Nanak Gurdwara after evening prayer on June 18, 2023.
Members of Sikhs for Justice immediately pointed fingers at the Indian government, as Nijjar played a significant role in the Sikh separatist movement.
The case has garnered global attention and strained relations between Canada and India after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused the Indian government of being involved in the murder.
The Indian government has rejected any involvement and labeled the accusation “absurd.” Additionally, India’s foreign minister criticized Canada for admitting “criminals” into the country.
Hundreds of local supporters of an independent Sikh state in India gathered at the courthouse on Tuesday. An overflow area within the courthouse was opened to accommodate another 50 people who wanted to observe the hearing.
Around 100 people outside the courthouse waved Khalistan flags and displayed posters in support of Sikh separatism.
Don't miss the news you need to know — add and to your bookmarks and .
