One of the Indian nationals suspected to be behind the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar entered Canada using a study permit, according to a report by Canada-based Global News. Karan Brar, who was arrested along with two others on May 3, said in a video posted in 2019 that he had applied for a student visa through Ethicworks Immigration Services in Bathinda, Punjab, and within days I got it. Standard Canada student visa processing time is approximately 7-9 weeks.
EthicsWorks Immigration Services posted a promotional video on its Facebook page along with a photo of Brar holding a passport with a Canadian study permit. However, the video has now been removed.
The caption read, “Congratulations to Karan Brar for Canada study visa… Another happy customer from Kotkapura.” Global News reports that Brar began studies at Bow Valley College in Calgary on April 30, 2020. He moved to Edmonton on May 4, 2020.
A college spokesperson said Brar was enrolled in an eight-month hospital unit clerk program. However, the spokesperson could not confirm whether this was the same person arrested for Nijjar's murder. However, the college said it never had “any association with a company called EthicWorks Immigration Services”.
Three Indians arrested in Hardeep Nijjar murder case
Three Indians were arrested in Edmonton, Alberta on May 3 and charged with first-degree murder. Apart from Brar, the other two have been identified as Karanpreet Singh, 28, and Kamalpreet Singh, 22.However, Canadian police have not provided any evidence linking the three accused to the Indian government.
Hardeep Nijjar was shot dead outside a gurudwara in Surrey on June 18, 2023. Canadian police said that on the day Nijjar was murdered, the three allegedly played different roles as shooter, driver and detective. Officials are also investigating whether he has links with the Indian government.
Last year, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had blamed “agents of the Indian government” behind the incident. The Indian government has called the claim “absurd” and the incident has led to a diplomatic standoff with Canada. The Indian government had asked Canada to recall more than 40 of its diplomats from the country and also stopped issuing visas to Canadian citizens. However, it later resumed issuing visas in a phased manner.
