OTTAWA/WASHINGTON: Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), a U.S.-based pro-Khalistan advocacy organization, has made startling allegations that a current Indian diplomat posted in Ottawa attempted to orchestrate the assassination of Inderjeet Singh Gosal. SFJ described the scheme as a “contract-to-kill” operation, claiming that a $50,000 payment was offered to an alleged hitman.
SFJ asserted that Canadian intelligence and security agencies are aware of the alleged plot. The group further claimed that the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) recently extended protective measures to Gosal after receiving credible intelligence about an imminent threat.
Gosal, who has been publicly identified in Canadian media as a key figure advocating for a Sikh independence referendum in Punjab, has previously reported receiving a police “duty-to-warn” notice. He believes the threats stem from India a charge India has consistently denied amid broader diplomatic tensions.
Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, SFJ’s General Counsel, stated that the organization is making these serious allegations public to prevent another tragedy like the June 2023 killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey, British Columbia. Nijjar’s assassination significantly strained diplomatic ties between Canada and India.
SFJ also urged supporters to keep an eye on the activities of India’s High Commissioner in Canada, Dinesh K Patnaik. Experts generally advise citizens against taking such actions and recommend reporting any credible threats directly to law enforcement authorities. Patnaik is officially listed as India’s High Commissioner to Canada.
The timing of these allegations is particularly sensitive, amid ongoing tensions in Canada-India relations. In October 2024, Canada expelled several Indian diplomats amid an RCMP investigation into violent criminal activities linked to Nijjar’s murder an action India dismissed as “preposterous.”
Recently, Gosal has been granted “Witness Protection” by the RCMP due to the serious threat to his life. According to Pannun, Canadian security agencies, including the RCMP, have already received and evaluated intelligence indicating a contract-to-kill plot against Gosal. This information has been relayed to top government officials, including Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Office, Foreign Minister Anita Anand, and the Minister of Public Safety.
Pannun concluded: “The plot against Gosal is a direct consequence of Prime Minister Carney’s decision to engage in trade talks with Modi without demanding accountability. The security and sovereignty of Canada have deteriorated to such a level that Indian diplomats now feel emboldened to orchestrate assassinations.”
