Three Indian nationals, arrested by Canada Police in connection with the killing of Khalistan separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar appeared before court for the first time to face homicide charges, even as Canadian authorities continue to claim that New Delhi is involved in the killing.
Karan Brar, 22, Kamalpreet Singh, 22, and Karanpreet Singh, 28, all Indian nationals residing in Edmonton, were arrested and charged on Friday with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder.
The three—who are alleged to be members of a hit squad— appeared separately by video in the Surrey provincial courtroom on Tuesday to acknowledge the charges of first-degree murder and conspiring to commit murder and to agree to have their cases adjourned to May 21 to give them time to consult with their lawyers, the Vancouver Sun newspaper reported.
Two of the accused appeared in the morning while Kamalpreet Singh's appeared in the afternoon.
All three agreed to have the proceedings heard in English and each of them nodded that they understood the charges of first-degree murder and conspiring to murder Nijjar, the report said.
Surrey criminal and immigration lawyer Affan Bajwa, who has no connection to the case, said their chances of being released on bail would depend on whether their lawyers could make a strong case to the judge.
According to him, if the case goes ahead, the men would be tried in Canada and if found guilty of first-degree murder would have no chance of parole for at least 25 years.
Canadian foreign minister Melanie Joly said the Canadian authorities stand by the allegations that India had a role in the killing of Nijjar.
According to media reports, Joly said the Royal Canadian Mounted Police is probing the murder and added that Canada will continue to protect its citizens.
“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. Now, the investigation by the RCMP is being done,” she was quoted as saying.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had on Saturday said what is happening in poll-bound Canada over the killing of Nijjar is mostly due to their internal politics and has nothing to do with India.
He said a section of pro-Khalistan people are using Canada's democracy, creating a lobby and have become a vote bank.
—With agency inputs
