Dasvand
Ottawa (February 19, 2026): The World Sikh Organization of Canada (WSO) expresses grave concern over reports that Canada’s Department of Justice is seeking to withhold “sensitive” national security information from the upcoming murder trial of four men accused of killing Bhai Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Although it is not clear what evidence the Department of Justice wishes to keep confidential, it has been argued that its release “would be injurious to international relations and national security.”
Any attempt to conceal evidence relating to India’s role in the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar under the guise of protecting “international relations” is unacceptable. The concealment of evidence would amount to a denial of justice, not only for the Nijjar family, but for the entire Sikh community and for all Canadians who expect accountability when foreign states are involved in violence and criminal activity on Canadian soil.
The Canadian approach towards concealing evidence appears to be in contrast with the prosecution in the United States of Nikhil Gupta, who has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire, and conspiracy to commit money laundering in the attempted murder of a Sikh activist there. U.S. authorities publicly laid out allegations of the direct involvement of Indian state actors in the plot against Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. There is no reason why Canadian authorities should adopt a more secretive and deferential approach when dealing with similar allegations in Canada.
Canada’s own law enforcement and government officials have repeatedly acknowledged that India has engaged in transnational repression in Canada. India’s ongoing denials and demand for “proof” of its involvement require that the evidence be made public. Any effort by Canadian authorities to conceal or redact evidence will serve to vindicate India’s position and embolden further acts of intimidation and violence.
WSO President Danish Singh said today,
“While we have seen our government approach a reset with India without accountability and safeguards, the suggestion that this reset may also be influencing decisions around transparency in the murder case of Bhai Hardeep Singh Nijjar is a new low. Justice is not negotiable and can’t be suppressed in the name of international relations or diplomacy.
The Government of Canada cannot hide the evidence of India’s involvement in the assassination of a Canadian citizen on Canadian soil in order to promote business and trade objectives.
Canadian Sikhs have already paid an unacceptable price for years of inaction and equivocation in the face of credible allegations of Indian state-sponsored violence. Canada must take a firm position in support of the rule of law and ensure that there is full transparency in Bhai Nijjar’s murder proceedings. No foreign state should be above the law in Canada.”
WSO is a non-profit national organization with a mandate to promote and protect the interests of Canadian Sikhs as well as to promote and advocate for the protection of human rights of all individuals.