Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB) has ordered the deportation of Indian national Abhijeet Kingra after ruling that he was associated with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, marking a significant development in the investigation into the 2024 firing incident outside Punjabi singer AP Dhillon’s residence.
Under IRB guidelines, it has been found that Kingra had entered Canada using a student visa and was involved in the shooting at a house where 14 bullets were allegedly discharged. The board further stated that one of the gang members was allegedly responsible for burning the vehicles owned by the property holder.
Deportation in this case follows a tough stance taken by Canadian authorities against organised gangs allegedly involved in extortion, shootings, arson, and threatening people.
IRB cites gang links in deportation order
In its decision, IRB member Azeem Lalji stated that a British Columbia court had previously determined that Kingra was a member of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. The ruling described the gang as an organised criminal network allegedly linked to offences including murder, extortion, shootings, arson and threats.
The board also noted concerns over a rise in gang-related extortion incidents across British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario.
According to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), more than 400 investigations connected to organised criminal activity have been launched across the country, while 55 suspects have already been deported or removed from Canada.
Kingra claims he was offered money for the attack
According to the hearing, Kingra revealed that he was approached to participate in an attack against the home of AP Dhillon in exchange for CAD 4,000 on September 2, 2024. During the hearing, he reportedly said that he was unaware of the connection between the gang and his involvement but decided to accept the mission due to lack of money.
On the other hand, CBSA officer Jasbir Sandhu believed that the objective of the attack was to exhibit the strength and capability of the Bishnoi gang, rather than extortion.
Additionally, Canadian law enforcement officers informed the board that organised crime gangs normally operate using compartmentalized structures, meaning that members at a lower level may not be aware of their superiors.
In its ruling, the board also mentioned that Kingra was convicted of two criminal acts, which included information about committing them on the directions of the Bishnoi gang. In addition, the authorities are still investigating similar cases in the city of Surrey in British Columbia.
FAQs
Q1. Why is Canada demanding the deportation of Abhijeet Kingra?
The Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada found out that Abhijeet Kingra had ties with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang and indulged in criminal acts, thus making him ineligible for entry into Canada.
Q2. What is the link between Abhijeet Kingra and the shooting at the AP Dhillon House?
It is said that during the process of his immigration hearings, Kingra stated that he was given CAD 4,000 to be part of the September 2024 attack on the house of AP Dhillon.
