Canadian court grants bail to four Indians accused in Nijjar murder case

In a significant development, four Indian nationals charged in the 2023 murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a prominent Khalistani leader, have been granted bail by a Canadian court.

The accused—Karan Brar, Amandeep Singh, Kamalpreet Singh, and Karanpreet Singh—were initially arrested on charges of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder.

The case has now been moved to the British Columbia Supreme Court, with the next hearing scheduled for February 11.

According to the reports, there have been delays in presenting evidence by the prosecution during preliminary hearings, which critics argue could undermine Canada’s stance on the matter. These delays, combined with the lack of substantial evidence, have raised questions about the progress of the case.

Court documents reviewed by India Today revealed that all four accused were released under a "stay of proceedings" while awaiting trial. The status of the defendants was marked as 'N' in court records, suggesting that they are not currently in custody and could be released under specific conditions.

The murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was designated a terrorist by India’s National Investigation Agency in 2020, has strained diplomatic relations between India and Canada. Nijjar was killed outside a Gurdwara in Surrey, Canada, in June 2023.

Canadian authorities arrested Karanpreet Singh (28), Kamalpreet Singh (22), and Karan Brar (22) in May 2023, with Amandeep Singh (22) arrested shortly after.

The reports indicate that tensions escalated further when Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made a statement in Parliament suggesting "credible allegations" linking India to the killing. India strongly denied these claims, calling them politically motivated and accusing Canada of providing space for extremist elements.