Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown is calling on the provincial and federal governments to step in as extortion-related crimes targeting Peel Region’s South Asian community continue to rise.
Brown’s comments come amid cases like that of Dharmjit Mand, who says he received WhatsApp threats for months demanding $2 million before gunfire struck his Caledon home. His residence and business, Balle Balle Heritage Farms, were hit in separate shootings on Nov. 25 and Dec. 11. Caledon OPP have called the incidents targeted, forcing Mand and his family to leave their home for safety.
“They say they can come right in my house and shoot me right in my head,” Mand said. “Whatever they say, they do.”
Peel police report 436 extortion cases so far in 2025, compared with 490 in 2024 and 319 in 2023. Brown said the threats often begin online and escalate into violence.
“These extortions are terrifying,” he said. “People are telling me their homes and businesses are being shot at, barely missing their families.”
Following a motion by Brampton Deputy Mayor Harkirat Singh, city council unanimously agreed on Dec. 16 to send a letter to Ottawa and Queen’s Park seeking funding for a dedicated extortion and organized crime task force, enhanced victim support and community outreach, and better intelligence-sharing among police agencies.
Brown cited concerns about the India-based Bishnoi gang, which Ottawa listed as a terrorist entity in September and which RCMP have linked to violence and intimidation in Canada. He said Peel has seen 41 Bishnoi-related extortion incidents.
Peel police launched a task force in December 2023 to address the growing problem, but Sikh community members have continued to voice frustration over ongoing threats.
Brown pointed to British Columbia’s anti-extortion summit held in Surrey in November and urged similar action in Ontario.
Premier Doug Ford said the province is “throwing every single resource” at the issue, while Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree said he shares concerns about the rise in extortion cases and will give serious consideration to Brampton’s proposal.
Anandasangaree also announced plans to convene a summit in Peel Region in January, bringing together governments and law enforcement agencies to address the problem.