US charges Indian crime leader in Sikh activist’s assassination
The United States has indicted an Indian crime boss, Lawrence Bishnoi, and his associate Satinderjeet Singh, for allegedly orchestrating the assassination of Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada in 2023. This indictment is part of a broader law enforcement operation targeting three Indian international crime syndicates involved in various illicit activities, including kidnappings, racketeering, and murder. The killing of Nijjar, a prominent Sikh independence activist, previously strained relations between India and Canada after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged credible involvement of the Indian government. Bishnoi is currently in custody, while Singh remains at large. The US Attorney's office announced the charges, highlighting the syndicates' role in fueling violence and instability within East Indian communities.