"No Evidence Shared, No Formal Diplomatic Communication": MEA On Arrest Of Three Indians In Canada Over Nijjar Killing

Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday (9 May) said that Canada has informed India about the arrest of three Indians in the murder case of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

"However, there is no formal diplomatic communication in this regard, but we have been informed," MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal told mediapersons during the weekly press briefing.

On the question of consular access, he explained, "In some countries, there is no provision of suo moto consular access, it is granted only when the concerned person demands it."

Jaiswal said that India has not been informed much, the information is only about the arrest of three Indians. Also, no specific information or evidence has been shared by Canadian authorities, he said.

Comments come after a report emerged suggesting that Karan Brar, one of the suspects in Nijjar case, disclosed that he entered Canada on a study visa, according to a video he posted on social media.

Nijjar was shot dead as he exited a Gurdwara in British Columbia's Surrey on 18 June last year, an act Canadian authorities are investigating as a contract killing.

Brar, along with Karanpreet Singh, 28, and Kamalpreet Singh, 22, were arrested last Friday in Edmonton and are facing charges of first-degree murder and conspiracy.

Their initial court appearance occurred in Surrey by video, drawing significant attention from the Sikh community and sparking protests outside the courthouse.