News Brief
Suspect In Khalistani Terrorist Hardeep Nijjar's Killing Entered Canada On Study Visa: Report
Kuldeep Negi
May 09, 2024, 08:56 AM | Updated 08:56 AM IST
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Karan Brar, one of the suspects implicated in the murder of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, disclosed that he entered Canada on a study visa, according to a video he posted on social media.
Brar, who is currently under arrest along with two others for their alleged involvement in Nijjar's killing, stated in a 2019 promotional video for EthicWorks Immigration Services that he was granted a student visa within days of applying.
The video, which was shared on the immigration service's Facebook page, featured Brar thanking the agency for the swift processing of his study visa.
“Congratulations Karan Brar for the Canada study visa,” read the caption under the video, identifying him as a client from Kotkapura, near Bathinda in Punjab, India, news agency ANI reported.
This revelation comes amidst a tense backdrop, following the murder of Nijjar in June 2023, an event that has notably strained diplomatic relations between Canada and India.
Nijjar was shot dead as he exited a Gurdwara in Surrey, 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, British Columbia, by video, drawing significant attention from the Sikh community and sparking protests outside the courthouse.
The Canadian Immigration Minister Marc Miller has so far declined to comment on how the suspects entered the country.
However, a Facebook page allegedly belonging to Brar suggests he moved to Edmonton in 2020, after beginning his studies at Bow Valley College in Calgary.
The controversy surrounding the murder deepened when Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau suggested the involvement of Indian government agents, an allegation that India has dismissed as "motivated" and "baseless".
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Kuldeep is Senior Editor (Newsroom) at Swarajya. He tweets at @kaydnegi.
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