On July 16, 2026, the United States Department of Justice formally indicted gangster Lawrence Bishnoi for allegedly ordering the 2023 murder of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada. The indictment is part of a coordinated trans‑national crime probe involving law‑enforcement agencies from the US, Canada and Europe, which has already led to the arrest of 24 individuals linked to three Indian crime syndicates.

Former Envoy Sanjay Verma’s Response

Former Indian High Commissioner to Canada Sanjay Verma, who was listed as a "person of interest" in the Nijjar case and declared persona non‑grata by Ottawa, told The Indian Express that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s premature statements in Parliament were ill‑timed. "A mature statesman would have waited until the investigation concluded before making such accusations," Verma said, adding that the advisors had misled the former prime minister.

Diplomatic Fallout and Call for an Apology

Verma explained that the recall of Indian diplomats, including himself, strained bilateral ties and affected the families of officials forced to leave Canada. While praising the Indian government's decision to bring its staff home, he emphasized that "our prestige cannot be fully restored unless an apology is offered."

US Indictment Details and India's Position

The US indictment explicitly states that no state actors, Indian officials or diplomats are named; the charge focuses solely on non‑state criminal actors. Verma reiterated this point, noting, "The multi‑nation agencies have identified the gang and its members – it is not a wild allegation against India."

Canada’s Separate Investigation

Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) officials have confirmed that the Nijjar homicide remains under a distinct investigation. Four Indian nationals—Karan Brar, Kamalpreet Singh, Karanpreet Singh, and Amandeep Singh—have been charged with first‑degree murder and conspiracy, and their cases are pending in the British Columbia Supreme Court.

RCMP Deputy Commissioner Lisa Moreland clarified that, to date, no evidence links Indian government officials to the organized‑crime network or the Nijjar killing. As the investigations continue, she stressed that the RCMP will refrain from further comment.

Looking Ahead

Verma concluded that the two probes—one targeting an international crime syndicate and the other examining the Nijjar murder—must be treated separately. "Only by allowing the judicial process to run its course can we prevent unnecessary diplomatic friction," he said.