Canada News Portal Repeats Former Trudeau Government Claim on Jailed Gangster

A Canadian news portal has published an article citing a “confidential RCMP report” that repeats a claim previously made by the former Justin Trudeau government suggesting that the Lawrence Bishnoi criminal syndicate was acting on behalf of the Indian government. The publication of the piece has raised eyebrows both in Canada and abroad.

The article, which references an undated internal document from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, includes statements from Sikh community groups in Canada supporting the claim. It also notes that the publication coincided with a high-level trade mission to India by British Columbia Premier David Eby on Jan. 12, a timing that drew further attention.

The report refers to Lawrence Bishnoi — currently incarcerated — and his associates, who have been linked to various crimes in Canada, the United States and India. Canadian local gangs operate in provinces including British Columbia, Ontario and Alberta.

The revival of the government’s earlier allegation comes amid ongoing diplomatic sensitivity after the 2023 killing of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey, British Columbia, which the Trudeau government had publicly tied to possible involvement by Indian operatives — a claim India repeatedly denied and that lacked publicly disclosed evidence. That dispute had severely strained Canada-India relations and affected trade discussions.

Critics say repeating such claims without clear evidence could reignite tensions and complicate ongoing efforts to normalize relations. Supporters of the article argue it sheds light on important security concerns cited by the RCMP.