US Indicts Lawrence Bishnoi in Nijjar Murder Case
The United States has indicted gangster Lawrence Bishnoi in connection with the murder of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, asserting that Indian jails are incapable of controlling him. The indictment, unsealed on July 8, 2026, in a federal court in New York, accuses Bishnoi of conspiracy to commit murder and providing material support to a terrorist plot.
According to US prosecutors, Bishnoi orchestrated Nijjar's killing from inside an Indian prison, using encrypted communication channels to direct his gang members. The indictment states that Bishnoi's criminal network operates with impunity despite his incarceration, highlighting systemic failures in India's prison system.
Canada Police Finds No Evidence Linking India
In a separate development, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) announced that their investigation found no evidence linking the Indian government to Nijjar's murder. The RCMP statement, released on July 7, 2026, said that the killing was a result of inter-gang rivalry and not state-sponsored.
"After a thorough investigation, we have found no credible evidence to suggest the involvement of the Indian state in the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar," said RCMP Commissioner Michael Duheme in a press conference. The statement marks a significant shift from earlier Canadian allegations that India might have been involved.
Background of the Nijjar Killing
Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a 45-year-old Sikh activist and vocal proponent of Khalistan, was shot dead outside a gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia, on June 18, 2023. The killing sparked a diplomatic row between India and Canada, with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleging in September 2023 that there were "credible allegations" of Indian government involvement.
India vehemently denied the allegations, calling them "absurd and motivated." The US indictment of Bishnoi and the RCMP's findings appear to support India's position, though the matter remains sensitive.
US Indictment Details
The US indictment alleges that Bishnoi, currently held in a high-security prison in Delhi, used smuggled smartphones to coordinate with his gang members in Canada and the US. It claims that Bishnoi ordered Nijjar's murder to eliminate a rival and to send a message to other opponents.
"The defendant, Lawrence Bishnoi, despite being incarcerated, continued to run his criminal empire, including ordering the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar," said US Attorney Damian Williams. The indictment also names four other gang members as co-conspirators.
Impact on India-US-Canada Relations
The developments are likely to ease diplomatic tensions between India and Canada, which had soured after Trudeau's allegations. The US indictment, while critical of Indian prison security, does not implicate the Indian government. Analysts say the RCMP's statement could help restore trust between New Delhi and Ottawa.
However, the US criticism of Indian jails may lead to calls for prison reforms in India. The Ministry of Home Affairs has not yet commented on the indictment but is expected to review security protocols in high-security prisons.
