India’s envoy to Canada rejects involvement in Sikh activist’s killing

Sanjay Kumar Verma, who is being expelled from Canada, says he had ‘nothing at all’ to do with Hardeep Singh Nijjar murder.

Montreal, Canada – India’s high commissioner to Canada has rejected allegations of involvement in the 2023 killing of a prominent Sikh separatist leader in the country, slamming the Canadian government as being “politically motivated” in its accusations.

In an interview with Canadian network CTV News on Sunday, Sanjay Kumar Verma was asked whether he had anything to do with the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

“Nothing at all, no evidence presented, politically motivated,” he replied.

The interview comes just days after Canadian police said they had uncovered evidence that Indian government agents were involved “in serious criminal activity in Canada”, including links “to homicides and violent acts”.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government announced on Monday that it was expelling six Indian diplomats and consular officials – including Verma – after they were identified as “persons of interest” in the killing of Nijjar.

Nijjar, a Canadian citizen, was fatally shot in June 2023 outside a Sikh temple where he served as president in Canada’s westernmost province of British Columbia.

He had been a leading advocate in what is known as the Khalistan movement, a Sikh campaign for a sovereign state in India’s Punjab region, which India views as a threat to its national security.

His killing sent shock waves across Canada and ties between New Delhi and Ottawa hit new lows after the Canadian government said in September of last year that it was investigating whether Indian government agents were involved.

India has rejected the allegations, describing them as “preposterous imputations” and