Arrived Late To Spot, Failed To Act Despite Threats To Nijjar: Report Exposes Canada's Lacklustre Response

Did the negligence by the Canadian authorities led to the killing of outlawed Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar? A report published in the leading US publication Washington Post has indicated it.

The report has claimed that the cops arrived late to the crime spot while also failing to act upon the concerns raised by the family about the threat to Nijjar's life.

Arrived Late

Members of the local Sikh community have told The Washington Post that it took the cops to arrive at the spot between 12 and 20 minutes after the first gunshot was heard. It was quite shocking for the members as the large number of police regularly patrol the neighborhood.

If it was not enough, there was a dispute between Surrey police and the RCMP as to who had to investigate the case.

Tussle Over Heading Investigation

Bhupinderjit Singh, a volunteer at the gurdwara who was playing soccer at the time of the incident, said, "There was an hours-long tussle between Surrey police and the RCMP. They couldn't decide who would head the investigation, so there was a delay."

A resident of Bharsinghpur village in Punjab's Jalandhar, Nijjar was found dead inside a car with bullet wounds in the parking lot of Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara Sahib in Surrey.

According to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police's Integrated Homicide Investigation Team, the cops got a first report of the shooting at 8:27 pm on June 18. The publication has also claimed that both Surrey Police Service and the RCMP have failed to respond to its questions pertaining to Singh's claims.

Lacklustre Investigation

33 days after his death, the cops, on July 21, asked the public to identify the two gunmen involved in Nijjar's killing. This only shows that the authorities were not seriously investigating the case. On August 16, they asked people to identify a silver 2008 Toyota Camry and driver.

The publication visited 39 businesses and residences along the escape route taken by the assailants. Most of the individuals interviewed stated that they had not been contacted by the authorities.

Publicly, authorities have not addressed the white sedan or identified its driver. Additionally, there has been no mention of the two individuals in the getaway car, as reported by Malkit Singh.

Ignored Security Threats

The community members have complained that the authorities did not give more protection despite the threat to Nijjar. "My father asked for increased police surveillance around the gurdwara so that the whole community could be safer," Hardeep Singh Nijjar's 21-year-old son Balraj Singh Nijjar said.

The police had assured them that they would look into it, but to his knowledge, nothing was done.

A number of business owners and residents near the gurdwara have mentioned that investigators have not come by to inquire or request security footage.

The community was well aware of the threats to Nijjar's life. Some gurdwara members expressed concern, especially when they saw him driving alone. Nijjar's son mentioned his wish for a bulletproof car, although it is against the law in British Columbia. Alternatively, he considered wearing a vest, but this requires a permit. Moninder Singh, spokesperson for the British Columbia Sikh Gurdwara Council, mentioned that Nijjar's mechanic recently discovered a tracker in the wheel well of his truck.

Moninder Singh stated that federal authorities have informed him that both his and Nijjar's names appeared on a "hit list," but neither was given more information.

Moninder expressed uncertainty regarding whether this information has been shared with local authorities.

How Canada Has Reacted To The Report?

the Surrey RCMP spokesperson Corporal Vanessa Munn has denied the claims. He said, "However, as the police of jurisdiction, Surrey RCMP is responsible for all police investigations in Surrey. There is nothing to indicate this investigation was delayed in any way, either in the initial response or in subsequent investigative steps."

He stated that the case was finally handed over to the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT), "with the continued support of Surrey RCMP."

"IHIT takes lead on all homicide investigations in the Lower Mainland with the exception of Delta and Vancouver. We are confident all necessary investigational steps are being taken to hold those responsible for the homicide accountable," the Surrey RCMP added.