An Indian national found guilty of orchestrating an immigration fraud scheme in Canada is now suing federal authorities after a judge halted his prosecution, citing a “systemic collapse” in the conduct of border officials.
As per CBC, Gurpreet Singh, a 40-year-old, has launched civil proceedings against the Canadian government and officers from the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), alleging malicious prosecution and breaches of his charter rights.
The lawsuit follows an extraordinary court decision that stayed criminal proceedings against him despite a finding of guilt.
It is reported that the case stems from a long-running investigation in Saskatchewan into fraudulent job offers used to facilitate entry into Canada.
As per CBC, Gurpreet Singh arrived in Canada on a temporary resident visa and worked as a religious worker at a Sikh temple. Investigators later found fake job offer letters on his laptop, which were used by foreign nationals to enter the country under false pretences. His lawyer acknowledged the letters were fraudulent and said the scheme reflected widespread immigration fraud.
Gurpreet Singh was arrested in 2018 and later convicted in 2022 of multiple counts related to producing false employment letters for foreign nationals seeking visas.
However, in a July 2025 ruling, Justice Naheed Bardai of the Saskatoon Court of King’s Bench halted the case before sentencing, concluding that the conduct of investigators had undermined the integrity of the justice system. While the judge said he remained convinced of Singh’s guilt beyond reasonable doubt, he ruled that the actions of officials “offend society’s sense of fair play and decency”.
The decision followed a mistrial application by Gurpreet Singh’s defence, which alleged that key evidence had not been disclosed and that a lead investigator had improperly contacted witnesses. Although the court rejected claims of deliberate intimidation and found the non-disclosure to be inadvertent, it took issue with the investigator’s decision to effectively examine allegations against himself.
Justice Bardai described the move as a serious lapse in judgement, comparing it to asking an accused person to investigate their own alleged wrongdoing. The judge found that the investigator’s actions – made under pressure – compromised the fairness of the proceedings and were not adequately checked by supervisors or prosecutors.
He also criticised senior CBSA staff for failing to intervene, noting that opportunities to assign an independent investigator were missed. While he did not find evidence of bad faith or malice, he concluded that a series of poor decisions across multiple levels amounted to a broader institutional failure.
As a result, the court applied what Justice Bardai called an “extreme remedy” – a stay of proceedings – which permanently halts the prosecution and leaves Singh without a conviction or sentence.
It is further reported that Gurpreet Singh has since sought compensation through the courts and applied for permanent residency in Canada on humanitarian grounds. His lawyer, Tavengwa Runyowa, argued the case has left a lasting stain on his client, who continues to face the consequences of what he describes as a deeply flawed investigation.
Despite the court outcome, Gurpreet Singh’s immigration status remains uncertain.
Canadian authorities rejected his residency application in October 2025, citing a lack of compelling reasons to remain in the country and raising concerns about his work history and failure to file taxes during his time in Canada.
Gurpreet Singh is appealing that decision in federal court, arguing that he has established a life in Canada and would face hardship if forced to return to India. He has also maintained his innocence, claiming he was unknowingly caught up in a broader fraud scheme.
As per CBC, the civil lawsuit, filed in January, names individual CBSA officers and the Attorney General of Canada. It alleges negligent investigation, unlawful conspiracy and violations of Singh’s legal rights. The claims have not yet been tested in court, and the CBSA has declined to comment while the matter is ongoing.
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