Who is Bandhu Maan Singh Sekhon? Inside the crime trail behind Kapil Sharma’s Canada cafe attacks

The repeated gunfire attacks on Kapil Sharma’s Kaps Cafe in Surrey have now taken a serious turn with the arrest of Bandhu Maan Singh Sekhon, a man police believe played a central role in organising the violence from behind the scenes. His arrest by the Delhi Police Crime Branch has revealed how the attacks were not random acts but part of a carefully coordinated operation involving criminal networks operating across India and Canada.

Kaps Cafe was targeted three times this year on July 10, August 7 and October 16. Each incident involved shooters firing at the premises from the road or from moving vehicles. Though no one was injured, the attacks caused damage and fear within the local community. The incidents also triggered wider concerns about Indian entertainers becoming targets of extortion-driven gangs abroad.

The breakthrough came when Canadian investigators traced a vehicle linked to one of the shootings. Around this time, Sekhon allegedly left Canada and travelled to India in August. Soon after, police in Delhi busted an arms-smuggling ring where arrested individuals revealed that they had delivered weapons to Sekhon in Ludhiana. This disclosure led intelligence teams to place him under surveillance in Punjab.

After days of monitoring his movements, a late-night raid was conducted on November 25 in Ludhiana, where Sekhon was arrested. Police recovered a Chinese-made PX-3 semi-automatic pistol and eight cartridges from his vehicle.

Authorities say Sekhon was not just a foot soldier but deeply embedded in the operational framework of the Goldy Dhillon gang. He allegedly handled logistics, arranged weapons, coordinated vehicles and acted as a bridge between shooters in Canada and gang leaders overseas.

Delhi Police officials stated that Sekhon’s criminal journey began after moving to Canada several years ago. Joint CP Surender Kumar said, “He went to jail in some cases and developed links with extremists there. After that, he began working with them.” His record includes firearm offences and extortion activity, and police confirmed that he was earlier arrested in Canada as well.

DCP Sanjeev Kumar Yadav added, “After apprehending him, we learned that he is a Canada-based gangster involved in several firing and extortion cases there and was even arrested in Canada.”

Investigators also pointed to a viral video showing Sekhon firing a weapon in a snowy area believed to be in Canada, strengthening the case against him. Before joining Dhillon’s network, he was briefly linked to the Harry Chatha gang, whose leader is reportedly tied to Pakistan’s ISI and accused of intimidating diaspora communities.

Police believe Sekhon became a trusted figure for Dhillon and played a key role in coordinating shooters such as Daljot Rehal and Gurjot, who were allegedly operating under Dhillon’s aide Seepu.

Responsibility for the cafe shootings was claimed by different figures. After the October incident, Kulvir Sidhu released a video stating, “Today’s firing at Caps Cafe, Surrey was carried out by me, Kulvir Sidhu, Goldy Dhillon… Bollywood individuals who speak against our religion should also be prepared, bullet can come from anywhere.” Earlier, Harjit Singh Laddi had claimed responsibility for the July attack.

Kapil Sharma later criticised the situation, saying, “There were three firing incidents…and I think maybe the police there don’t have enough power to control such things. But when our case happened, it was taken up at the deferral level…discussed in the Canadian Parliament.”

With Sekhon now in custody, investigators are expanding their probe into possible funding sources, accomplices and other potential targets. Authorities believe the case reflects a larger pattern of cross-border gang activity aimed at intimidation and control, raising fresh alarms about the safety of high-profile individuals abroad.