All 4 Indians accused in Hardeep Nijjar murder case granted bail by Canadian Court

Hardeep Singh Nijjar (AP file photo)

All four Indians accused in the murder case of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar have been granted bail by Canadian Court, according to a report by CNN-News18. The four accused -- Karan Brar, Karanpreet Singh, Kamalpreet Singh and Amandeep Singh -- were charged with first degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder.

Nijjar, 45, was killed outside Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia on June 18, 2023. Linked to Sikhs for Justice’s Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, Nijjar was designated as terrorist by India’s Ministry of Home Affairs in 2020.

The case will now be heard on January 11. The CNN-News18 report further reveals that the release order was issued due to lack of evidence, after the proceeding were stayed in a lower court.

Sources told CNN-News18 that the Canadian Police could not produce substantial evidence against the accused.

Relations between India and Canada have been under severe strain following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's allegations linking Indian government to Nijjar's murder. India has consistently denied the allegations, terming them as absurd and politically motivated.

India has also accused Canada of giving space to extremist and anti-India elements in their country.

Days after Trudeau’s allegations last year, India asked Ottawa to downsize its diplomatic presence in the country to ensure parity. Canada subsequently withdrew 41 diplomats and their family members from India.