AP Dhillon Canada house attack: Canada orders deportation of Abhijeet Kingra linked to Lawrence Bishnoi gang
PTC Web Desk: Canada's Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB) has ordered the deportation of Indian national Abhijeet Kingra after ruling that he was a member of the Bishnoi gang, an organised criminal group allegedly involved in murder, extortion, shootings, arson and intimidation activities across Canada.
Abhijeet Kingra had arrived in Canada on a student visa. In its ruling, the IRB found that Kingra participated in a shooting incident at a in British Columbia, where 14 rounds were fired. According to the board, one of his accomplices also set fire to vehicles belonging to owner.
Kingra and his alleged accomplice are also facing allegations in connection with another similar incident in Surrey, British Columbia.
The deportation proceedings form part of a broader crackdown by Canadian authorities on organised crime groups involved in extortion and violence. According to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), more than 400 investigations linked to organised criminal activity have been launched nationwide, while 55 suspects have already been removed from the country.
In the decision, IRB member Azeem Lalji stated that a British Columbia court had earlier established that Kingra was a member of the Bishnoi gang. The ruling noted that the gang has been associated with serious criminal offences, including murder, shootings, arson, extortion and threats.
Lalji further observed that incidents of gang-linked extortion have increased in the provinces of British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario, raising concerns among law enforcement agencies.
During the hearing, Kingra claimed he had been offered CAD 4,000 to participate in an attack on the residence of Punjabi singer AP Dhillon on September 2, 2024. He told the board that he was unaware he was working on behalf of the Bishnoi gang and had accepted the assignment to help support his family financially.
However, CBSA officer Jasbir Sandhu argued that the attack on Dhillon's residence was not an extortion-related incident but rather an attempt by the Bishnoi gang to demonstrate its reach and influence.
Canadian authorities also maintained that the gang operates through a compartmentalised structure in which lower-level members often have limited knowledge of senior operatives. The agency highlighted that Kingra had already admitted to two criminal charges that explicitly stated the offences were committed at the direction of the Bishnoi gang.
Kingra is currently serving a six-year prison sentence in connection with the shooting case and is awaiting trial in another matter. His next court appearance is scheduled for June 18.
Authorities said Kingra's alleged accomplice, Vikram Sharma, left for India following the incidents and has since been declared wanted by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
During the proceedings, Kingra described himself as a naïve young man who had made a mistake and was already paying the price for it. He also argued that he could face danger if deported to India. However, the Refugee Board concluded that no substantial evidence had been presented to support that claim.
CBSA officials told the hearing that the Bishnoi gang remains active in Canada and has been linked to extortion, drug trafficking, murder and other forms of organized crime. According to the agency, the group's activities have been most prominent in British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba and Ontario.
- With inputs from agencies
