US federal authorities have charged jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi and his close associate Satinderjeet Singh alias Goldy Brar in connection with the 2023 killing of Khalistan separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada.
According to a federal indictment unsealed in Los Angeles, investigators allege that Bishnoi ordered the assassination of Nijjar, who was shot dead outside a gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia, on June 18, 2023.
The US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has announced a reward of USD 50,000 for information leading to the arrest of Goldy Brar, who remains at large. Brar has been charged with racketeering conspiracy, extortion-related offences, and drug trafficking conspiracy by the US District Court in California.
The charges are part of Operation Hardball, a coordinated law enforcement operation involving agencies from the United States, Canada, and Europe. Authorities said the operation targeted transnational organised crime groups allegedly involved in extortion, targeted killings, narcotics trafficking, and other serious criminal activities.
The US Justice Department alleged that Bishnoi continued to operate his criminal network from prison through trusted associates, including Goldy Brar in North America and other regional leaders.
The killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in 2023 had significantly strained diplomatic relations between India and Canada after then Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged possible links to the Indian government. India has consistently rejected those allegations as “absurd” and “motivated.”
Authorities said investigations are continuing, with several suspects arrested across multiple countries while others remain wanted.
(Agencies)
