Indian diplomat in Ottawa offered $50,000 to hitman to kill Khal

Pro-independence Khalistan flags are seen at the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara temple in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada, September 20, 2023. — Reuters

OTTAWA/WASHINGTON: Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), a US-based pro-Khalistan advocacy group, has accused a serving Indian diplomat in Ottawa of plotting the killing of Sikh activist Inderjeet Singh Gosal. The group claimed the alleged plot involved $50,000 offered to a purported hitman.

Canadian Authorities Aware of Alleged Threat

SFJ stated that Canadian security and intelligence agencies were aware of the plan. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) recently offered Gosal protective measures. The group described the threat as imminent.

Gosal Linked to Khalistan Campaign

Gosal has been identified as an organiser of the Sikh separatist movement for Punjab. He has said he received a police “duty-to-warn” notice due to threats he believes came from India. India has repeatedly denied such claims.

SFJ References Nijjar Assassination

(From right to left) Khalistan Referendum organiser Inderjeet Singh Gosal and SFJ General Counsel Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. — Reporter

SFJ General Counsel Gurpatwant Singh Pannun said the allegations are public to prevent another killing of a Sikh activist. He referenced the June 2023 assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey, British Columbia, which caused a diplomatic rift between Canada and India.

Monitoring High Commissioner Advised

SFJ urged supporters to monitor the movements of India’s High Commissioner in Canada, Dinesh K. Patnaik. Experts advise citizens not to take such actions and recommend reporting any credible threat directly to police.

Diplomatic Tensions Escalate

The allegations appear amid sensitive Canada–India relations. In October 2024, Canada expelled several Indian diplomats. Officials linked them to an RCMP investigation into criminal activity related to the Nijjar case. India rejected the claims as “preposterous.”

RCMP Provides Witness Protection

The RCMP offered Gosal witness protection due to the imminent threat. Multiple Canadian security channels, including the RCMP, assessed intelligence regarding the contract-to-kill plot.

Top Officials Informed

Pannun said Canadian authorities informed senior government offices, including:

Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Office
Foreign Minister Anita Anand’s Office
Minister of Public Safety’s Office

Pannun claimed: “Gosal’s contract-to-kill plot is the direct result of Prime Minister Carney opening trade talks with Modi without demanding accountability. Canadian sovereignty has collapsed, allowing Indian diplomats to act freely.”