Nearly three years after Canada accused Indian government agents of involvement in the killing of Khalistani Hardeep Singh Nijjar, newly unsealed United States federal indictments have alleged that the assassination was ordered by Indian gangster Lawrence Bishnoi and his close associate Satinderjeet Singh, also known as Goldy Brar.
The allegations emerged as US, Canadian and European law enforcement agencies announced a sweeping multinational operation targeting three India-based transnational organised crime syndicates accused of murder, extortion, drug trafficking and other serious offences across several countries.
As part of “Operation Hard Ball”, authorities arrested 24 people and unsealed indictments against 37 defendants linked to criminal networks operating in India, Canada, the United States and Europe.
Among the most significant allegations is the June 2023 killing of Nijjar, a prominent Khalistani who was shot dead outside a gurudwara in Surrey, British Columbia.
In the indictment, US prosecutors identify the victim as “H.S.N.”, describing him as a political and religious leader from Punjab who was living in Canada at the time of his death. Prosecutors allege that Bishnoi and Goldy Brar ordered the assassination, which was carried out by two gunmen on 18 June 2023.
The development is likely to reignite debate over Nijjar’s killing, which triggered a major diplomatic dispute between Canada and India after then Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told Parliament in September 2023 that there were “credible allegations” linking Indian government agents to the murder.
The newly unsealed US indictment does not allege involvement by Indian government officials. Instead, it places responsibility on the Bishnoi organised crime syndicate, which prosecutors describe as a global criminal enterprise involved in political assassinations, murders, extortion, kidnappings, narcotics trafficking and human smuggling.
Canadian RCMP authorities confirmed to CBC News that no Indian government official link was found in Nijjar’s killing.
According to the indictment, Bishnoi allegedly directed criminal activities from prison in India using contraband communication devices, while trusted associates managed operations across North America and Europe.
The indictment names Goldy Brar as the North American leader of the organisation and Rohit Godara as its European leader. Prosecutors allege both men helped direct violent operations conducted by members of the enterprise across multiple countries.
Canadian authorities designated the Bishnoi organisation as a terrorist entity in September 2025.
Nijjar had long been wanted by Indian authorities. India’s National Investigation Agency NIA had named him in multiple chargesheets related to terrorism and targeted killings and had sought his extradition from Canada.
Indian investigators had also alleged links between Nijjar and Arshdeep Singh Gill, commonly known as Arsh Dalla, a Canada-based Khalistani extremist and designated terrorist. Following Nijjar’s death, Dalla emerged as the de facto chief of the banned Khalistan Tiger Force KTF.
The NIA has accused Dalla of orchestrating targeted killings, extortion networks and drone-based weapons smuggling into India. He was arrested by Canadian authorities in 2024 following a shooting incident in Ontario, although he was later granted bail while legal proceedings continued.
The broader US investigation paints a picture of criminal networks that prosecutors say exploited fear within Indian diaspora communities through violence and intimidation. Authorities allege the Bishnoi syndicate carried out extortion campaigns in Canada and the United States and financed operations through large-scale cocaine trafficking.
US officials said the international operation targeted criminal groups responsible for spreading violence across borders.
The FBI, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Los Angeles Police Department and several international law enforcement agencies participated in the investigation.
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