Canada Stalls NIA's Efforts To Obtain Death Certificate Of Khalistani Terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has encountered procedural obstacles in obtaining the death certificate of pro-Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar from Canadian authorities.

According to an Indian official, while the central agency sought Nijjar's death certificate nearly six months ago, Canadian authorities asked for clarification on the document's purpose.

Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian citizen and leader of the separatist Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF), was formally designated as a terrorist by India’s Ministry of Home Affairs in 2020.

“There are two cases registered with the NIA, in which Nijjar was named as one of the accused. To complete the documentation work of their case files, the investigation officer needs to show his (Nijjar) death certificate before a Delhi Court and that’s why they have asked the Canadian Government under the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) to share his death certificate. But instead of sharing it, they have asked the reason for asking it and now replies will be sent to them,” the officer was quoted as saying by Indian Express.

Nijjar, who was gunned down in Surrey, British Columbia, in June last year, is named in an FIR that the NIA registered in December 2020 when farmers were protesting against the three farm laws in Delhi.

Nijjar, along with Gurpatwant Singh Pannun and Paramjit Singh Pamma, was accused of conspiring to create an atmosphere of fear and lawlessness, causing disaffection among people, and inciting them to rise in rebellion against the Government of India.

This comes as the bilateral relations between India and Canada are at an all time low following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau allegations last year that Indian government agents were involved in the assassination of Khalistani terrorist Nijjar.

India has repeatedly denied the charge, saying it was "politically motivated" and "baseless".

Trudeau, this month, clarified that his allegation against India was based on intelligence rather than “hard evidentiary proof”.

Also Read: India Calls Out Canada's "Inaction" As Only Five Out Of 26 Extradition Requests Of Khalistani Terrorists Addressed