The firing at Punjabi singer AP Dhillon's house has now led to a major ruling in Canada. The country's Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB) has ordered the removal of Indian national Abhijit Kingra from the country. In its decision, the board stated plainly that Kingra is a member of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, and it was on that basis that his deportation was sealed.
How the Board Described the Gang
The IRB labelled the Bishnoi gang an organised criminal outfit. According to the board, the group has long been involved in activities such as murder, extortion, shootings, arson and intimidation. Abhijit Kingra had arrived in Canada on a student visa, but the investigation exposed his real identity as an active member of the gang.
Past Incidents in British Columbia
The IRB inquiry found that Kingra had also taken part in another firing incident in British Columbia. A total of 14 rounds were fired in that episode. According to the board, one of his associates set the owner's vehicles ablaze. On top of this, Kingra and his alleged associate have been charged in yet another similar incident in Surrey, British Columbia.
Canada's Wider Crackdown on Organised Crime
This removal action does not stand alone. It is part of a broad campaign Canada is running against organised criminal gangs. According to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), investigations have been opened into more than 400 cases linked to organised crime across the country. During this process, 55 suspects have already been removed from the country.
A Key Remark From the Board Member
In his ruling, IRB member Azim Lalji wrote that a British Columbia court had already established that Abhijit Kingra is a member of the Bishnoi gang. The decision reiterated that the group has been involved in serious offences such as murder, shootings, arson, extortion and intimidation. Lalji also underlined that gang-linked extortion cases have risen in British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario, deepening the concern among law enforcement agencies.
The 4,000 Dollars and Kingra's Claim
During the hearing, Abhijit Kingra himself claimed that on 2 September 2024 he had been offered 4,000 Canadian dollars to attack Punjabi singer AP Dhillon's house. In his defence before the board, he said he did not know he was working for the Bishnoi gang and had accepted the job only to financially support his family. CBSA officer Jasbir Sandhu, however, rejected this argument outright, contending that the attack on Dhillon's house was not an extortion matter but an attempt to display the power and influence of the Bishnoi gang.
