Canadian Authorities Warn Son of Slain Sikh Leader About Potential Threat to Life

The son of Ripudaman Singh Malik, one of the men accused of involvement in the 1985 Air India bombing, has been officially warned by the Canadian national police service about potential threats to his life, according to a report by CBC News.

Hardeep Malik, a businessman based in Surrey, British Columbia, is the son of Ripudaman Singh Malik, who was acquitted in 2005 of charges related to the 1985 bombings that resulted in 331 deaths. Ripudaman was fatally shot outside his Surrey office on July 14, 2022, and two men have been charged with his murder.

The warning to Hardeep comes amid ongoing investigations into possible links between the Indian government and Ripudaman Singh Malik’s assassination. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) are exploring the possibility that Indian authorities were involved in the killing of the wealthy and controversial businessman.

Last week, while the widow of Ripudaman and several family members were traveling in France, the RCMP delivered a letter to Hardeep Malik, informing him of the potential danger to his life. This action was taken under a British Columbia law that mandates authorities to notify individuals when they are aware of threats to their safety through ‘Duty to Warn’ letters.

In recent times, several individuals connected to the Sikh separatist movement in British Columbia have received such warnings. Among them was Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was similarly cautioned before being killed in June 2023.

The RCMP’s warning to Hardeep Malik highlights ongoing concerns about the safety of individuals associated with Sikh activism in Canada. The investigation into Ripudaman Singh Malik’s murder has not only revealed potential geopolitical tensions but also underscored the complexities of addressing threats within diasporic communities.

Ripudaman Singh Malik’s assassination has drawn significant attention due to his controversial past and the brutal nature of his killing. Acquitted of involvement in one of the deadliest terrorist attacks in Canadian history, Malik remained a polarizing figure until his death. His assassination and the subsequent warnings issued to his family suggest that the political and social undercurrents linked to the Sikh separatist movement continue to influence security concerns in Canada.

Moreover, the case of Hardeep Malik is not an isolated incident. The warning to him fits a broader pattern of threats and violence that have plagued Sikh separatist leaders and activists. The situation calls for a thorough and nuanced approach from Canadian authorities to protect individuals at risk while navigating the sensitive political ramifications.

In parallel developments, international attention has been drawn to a Czech court’s rejection of Nikhil Gupta’s petition against his extradition to the United States. Gupta faces charges related to an alleged plot to assassinate an American citizen in New York, adding another layer of complexity to the global discourse on politically motivated violence and legal responses by India.