Indian news outlets erroneously reported on Thursday that suspects accused in the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a B.C. Sikh temple leader, had been released from custody. Contrary to these claims, all four accused remain detained in pre-trial custody, Canadian authorities have confirmed.
The reports, widely circulated by prominent Indian media organizations such as India Today, the Times of India, and the Hindustan Times, are demonstrably false, with Canadian officials underscoring that no such release has occurred.
“Yes, all suspects are still in custody as the case has moved to Supreme Court,” said Cpl. Arash Seyed of the RCMP. Similarly, Sgt. Freda Fong from the RCMP’s Integrated Homicide Investigation Team confirmed, “all four accused are still in custody.”
Court records from the B.C. Supreme Court corroborate these statements, indicating that the suspects remain detained and are scheduled for a hearing at the New Westminster courthouse on February 11.
Despite these facts, Indian media outlets widely reported the supposed release, with India Today publishing claims on its YouTube channel that the suspects’ release was “hugely embarrassing for Canada.” The channel, boasting nearly 10 million subscribers, falsely cited court documents as evidence.
Similarly, the Hindustan Times fabricated claims linking the alleged release to political instability, asserting it occurred “days after Justin Trudeau announced he was stepping down as prime minister.” Other outlets suggested that charges had been stayed or that Canada’s Supreme Court had granted bail—both of which are entirely baseless.
The origins of these reports appear to lie in unverified social media posts and a lack of understanding of Canada’s judicial process.
The World Sikh Organization of Canada condemned the incident as a deliberate disinformation campaign aimed at undermining Canadian institutions.
“The purpose of this widespread disinformation campaign is to create confusion and distrust in the Canadian government and legal system. This showcases a calculated effort to mislead, manipulate, and undermine trust in Canadian institutions,” the organization stated.
Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a prominent Sikh activist whom India had labeled a terrorist, was killed outside the Guru Nanak Sikh Temple in Surrey, B.C., on June 18, 2023. The RCMP later charged four Indian nationals—Karan Brar, Karanpreet Singh, Kamalpreet Singh, and Amandeep Singh—with his murder.
The Canadian government has accused India of orchestrating the killing, with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau publicly condemning the act as a violation of Canadian sovereignty. Canada also expelled six Indian diplomats implicated in the scheme.
Further investigations revealed that Indian intelligence officials allegedly collaborated with organized crime groups to execute attacks targeting Canadian supporters of the Khalistan movement, which advocates for an independent Sikh-majority Punjab state
Canada has cited India as conducting one of the most active foreign interference campaigns in the country, second only to China. This latest wave of disinformation further highlights the strained relations between Ottawa and New Delhi.