extortion attempts
ISLAMABAD: A serving Sikh police officer of the Royal Canadian MountedPolice has formally lodged a criminal complaint in Canada against seniorofficials of the Indian government, alleging threats to his life andattempts to extort money from his family members in Punjab.
Sandeep Singh Sidhu, who holds the rank of detective constable in theSurrey detachment of the RCMP, told Canadian authorities that Indianintelligence operatives contacted his relatives in India and demandedpayment in exchange for ensuring his safety. The officer stated that thethreats intensified after he publicly criticised certain policies of theIndian government regarding the Sikh community.
In his official statement submitted to Canadian investigators, Sidhuemphasised that he has no affiliation with Indian politics or any religiousorganisation. He clarified that his actions stem solely from his duty as alaw enforcement officer committed to upholding Canadian law and protectingthe country’s sovereignty from foreign interference.
The complaint names several high-ranking officials allegedly linked toIndia’s external intelligence agency and diplomatic missions in Canada.Sidhu has accused them of orchestrating a systematic campaign ofintimidation against Canadian citizens of Sikh origin who voice criticismof New Delhi’s policies.
Canadian authorities have confirmed that the matter is under activeinvestigation by federal police units specialising in national security andforeign interference cases. The development comes amid heightened tensionsbetween Ottawa and New Delhi following Canada’s public allegations ofIndian involvement in the 2023 killing of Sikh separatist leader HardeepSingh Nijjar on Canadian soil.
Legal experts note that criminal complaints filed by serving policeofficers carry significant weight in Canadian judicial processes. Ifsubstantiated, the allegations could lead to charges under sections relatedto criminal harassment, extortion, and foreign interference in Canadianaffairs.
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The Indian High Commission in Ottawa has not yet responded to requests forcomment on the specific allegations made by Officer Sidhu. Relationsbetween the two countries remain strained after both nations expelledsenior diplomats last year over the Nijjar assassination investigation.
Source:https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-rcmp-officer-sikh-india-threats-complaint/
Source:https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/sikh-rcmp-officer-files-criminal-complaint-india
Tags: Canada, India, RCMP, Sikh, Intelligence, Nijjar, Ottawa, Punjab
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