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India and Canada expelled six of each other’s diplomats in tit-for-tat moves after Ottawa accused Indian government agents of links to the 2023 murder of a Sikh separatist leader near Vancouver.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), which is investigating the case at the heart of Monday’s rupture in ties, accused Indian government agents of being linked to an organized crime group called the “Bishnoi group.”
India’s top investigative body, the National Investigation Agency, describes the group as a criminal gang headed by Lawrence Bishnoi, whose lawyer says he contests more than 40 cases accusing him of crimes such as murder and extortion, with many trials yet to begin.
India has not reacted to the accusations of links between government officials and the Bishnoi group. The foreign ministry did not respond to a Reuters query for comment.
India has previously rejected as “preposterous” all Canadian accusations about the murder.
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WILL WE SEE ANY FURTHER ACTION FROM CANADA?
Bishnoi, a 31-year-old law graduate, has been in jail since 2015, and the NIA has accused him of running a trans-national crime syndicate. He is short and lean, sporting a beard and mustache when seen in public for court appearances.
In statements, the NIA has said he runs his syndicate from jails in different states, as well as countries such as Canada, through associates, who have been in contact with “pro-Khalistani” elements in neighboring Nepal and other countries.
ARE THERE OTHER CASES AGAINST HIM?
Bishnoi and his associates face several murder, extortion, and terror-related charges. The NIA has said they want to unleash a wave of terror through targeted killings of well-known social and religious leaders, movie stars, singers, and businessmen. Some high-profile cases include the 2022 killing of a popular Punjabi rapper named Sidhu Moose Wala, which the NIA laid at the door of Bishnoi’s associates.
WHAT IS BISHNOI’S POSITION?
Bishnoi’s lawyer, Rajani, who only uses one name, said he faces about 40 cases of murder, extortion, and terror-related charges, dating back to 2012, throughout India. He has contested the accusations, with trials in many of these cases yet to start, she added.
**Conclusion**
The expulsion of diplomats has put a strain on relations between India and Canada, with both countries accusing each other of being uncooperative. The case of Bishnoi and his associates is a complex one, with both sides presenting different versions of events.
**FAQs**
* What are the allegations against Bishnoi?
Bishnoi is accused of running a trans-national crime syndicate and being linked to an organized crime group.
* What is the role of the NIA in investigating Bishnoi?
The NIA is conducting investigations into the activities of Bishnoi and his associates.
* What is the current state of relations between India and Canada?
The two countries have expelled each other’s diplomats, and there is a sense of tension between them.
* What is the significance of the case of Bishnoi?
The case of Bishnoi and his associates is significant because it highlights the complexities of organized crime and the challenges of investigating it.