Sanjay Kumar Verma demanded that Canada provide evidence in the Hardeep Nijjar murder case and give details of the investigation.
Sanjay Kumar Verma, India’s High Commissioner to Canada, claimed on Saturday that the Canadian investigation into the killing of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a staunch Khalistan supporter, has been “tainted” by public statements made by a senior Canadian official.
Where is the conclusion of the investigation? I would go a step further and say now the investigation has already been tainted. A direction has come from someone at a high level to say India or Indian agents are behind it.
However, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Canadian intelligence agencies are doing their best over “credible allegations” linking Indian agents to Nijjar’s murder.
Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar said he had informed Canada that it was not its “policy” to engage in such acts.
India has not received any credible evidence from Canada or its allies to support allegations that Indian agents were involved in Nijjar’s killing, Verma told The Globe and Mail newspaper.
There is no specific or relevant information provided in this case for us to assist them in the investigation.
It then reiterated that India was not involved in the Sikh leader’s death, and emphasised that conversations between diplomats were “protected and cannot be used as evidence” in court or publicly released.
“You are talking about illegal wiretaps and talking about evidence,” he said. “Conversations between two diplomats are secure by all international law. Show me how you captured these conversations. Show me that someone did not mimic the voice.”
Due to the threats to his safety, he was given protection by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
The normal functioning of the High Commission and Indian consulates in Canada was disrupted on 21 September, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said. The reason was that the diplomatic staff faced security threats. A suspension of visa services in Canada was also announced.
Though, India resumed issuing visas to Canadians of choice from 26 October.
