Canada Border Officer claims India targeted him with false terror allegations, files $9-million suit against India
PTC Web Desk: A senior officer with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has filed a $9-million lawsuit against the government of India, claiming it ran a misinformation campaign that damaged his career and put his life in danger.
Sandeep Singh “Sunny” Sidhu, a British Columbia–born CBSA superintendent with almost 20 years of service, submitted the lawsuit in the Ontario Superior Court on Tuesday. He says Indian authorities wrongly labelled him as a wanted terrorist in an attempt to inflame tensions and undermine Canada’s reputation. India has repeatedly denied involvement in any such activities.
According to the statement of claim prepared by Toronto lawyer Jeffrey Kroeker, Sidhu believes he became a target because of his Sikh surname and his visible role in border security. The lawsuit states that Indian media outlets last October broadcast false reports describing him as a “dreaded terrorist” linked to banned extremist groups. These claims quickly spread across social media, where users shared his personal details and issued death threats calling for his extradition.
Sidhu had maintained a low public profile, aside from short appearances on the TV show Border Security: Canada’s Front Line. He says the sudden wave of threats forced him into hiding. The lawsuit also notes that the situation seriously affected his mental health, leading to stress-related issues and alcohol dependency. He later received treatment at St Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver.
The claim further alleges that the CBSA mishandled the crisis. Instead of supporting him, Sidhu says the agency dismissed the threats as unrelated to his job and carried out intrusive internal checks, asking him to sign privacy waivers. He was suspended during the review but was later cleared and returned to duty. The lawsuit argues that the CBSA minimised the seriousness of the threats and failed to protect him.
In an earlier response to CBC News, the CBSA confirmed Sidhu is still employed and said it found no evidence supporting the allegations made against him.
Sidhu is seeking compensation for damage to his reputation, lost income and psychological harm. The lawsuit also names the CBSA as a co-defendant, accusing the agency of negligence. A preliminary hearing is expected in early 2026.
- With inputs from agencies
