Indian Crime Syndicate’s Violent Escalation in Canada Shakes Diaspora
A disturbing wave of violence linked to the notorious Lawrence Bishnoi crime syndicate has intensified concerns within Canada's Punjabi community. In two separate and brazen incidents, a prominent Indian-origin businessman was murdered in Abbotsford, and the home of a popular Punjabi singer was targeted by gunfire, highlighting the expanding international reach of Indian organized crime.
In a fatal attack on Monday morning, 68-year-old businessman Darshan Singh Sahsi was shot and killed in Abbotsford, British Columbia. First responders found Sahsi with critical injuries and, despite their efforts, he was pronounced dead at the scene. While the Abbotsford Police Department has initiated a full-scale investigation and released images of a suspect vehicle, a silver Toyota Corolla, they noted the incident does not appear connected to a recent string of extortion attempts against other South Asian business owners.
Complicating the official investigation, Canada-based gangster Goldy Dhillon, a known affiliate of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, publicly claimed responsibility for the murder. In a social media post, Dhillon alleged that Sahsi was involved in the narcotics trade and had refused to meet the gang's financial demands. This claim is now being scrutinized by authorities in both India and Canada. The allegation stands in stark contrast to Sahsi's public reputation, with community members describing him as a generous and unassuming multimillionaire who was deeply committed to helping others.
The violence continued with a shooting outside the Canadian residence of Punjabi singer Channi Nattan. Fortunately, the incident resulted in no injuries. The Lawrence Bishnoi syndicate again asserted its involvement, suggesting the attack was a warning prompted by Nattan's professional association with a rival singer, Sardar Khera.
This attack is not an isolated event but part of a troubling pattern targeting Punjabi artists in Canada. Similar acts of intimidation have previously been directed at singers Gippy Grewal, AP Dhillon, and Prem Dhillon, raising alarms about the syndicate's efforts to exert control and extort individuals in the entertainment industry. These repeated assaults underscore a calculated campaign to intimidate high-profile figures within the diaspora.
The two recent events have sent shockwaves through the community and prompted calls for more decisive action. The escalating violence serves as a clear indicator of the Bishnoi gang's entrenched presence in Canada, necessitating stronger bilateral cooperation between Indian and Canadian law enforcement agencies to dismantle these dangerous transnational criminal operations.
