Sikh separatist leader Inderjeet Singh Gosal arrested on gun charges in Canada

Inderjeet Singh Gosal, leader of Sikhs for Justice in Canada, has been arrested on firearms charges.

The 36-year-old was taken into custody on Friday in Oshawa, Ontario. He faces accusations including illegal possession and careless use of a prohibited handgun “for purposes dangerous to the public peace,” according to a charge sheet. Two other men were also charged.

Gosal took over leadership of the group after Hardeep Singh Nijjar, its former organiser, was shot dead in Surrey, British Columbia, in June 2023. Four men allegedly linked to that killing remain in custody awaiting trial.

In a statement, Sikhs for Justice said Gosal’s arrest is “in fact a case about the Canadian government’s duty to protect the life of a Canadian citizen.” Gosal had told earlier this month that authorities had warned him repeatedly that his life was at risk. He said he declined an offer of witness protection.

Sikhs for Justice is banned in India, where media outlets have described Gosal as a “terrorist.” In Canada, the group is not designated a terrorist organisation and says its campaigns for an independent Khalistan are peaceful and legal.

The issue has long strained relations between Canada and India.

Former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in 2023 that Canada was investigating “credible links” between Nijjar’s killing and Indian government agents. The dispute led to the expulsion of diplomats from both countries.

Trudeau’s successor, Mark Carney, has since moved to mend ties. He invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the Group of Seven conference in Alberta in June and appointed new diplomats to restore communication. Both sides are also working on sharing information about cross-border crimes.

On Thursday, Canada’s national security adviser Nathalie Drouin met her Indian counterpart Ajit Doval in New Delhi. She said they discussed mutual security concerns and agreed on “non-interference, including refraining from transnational repression.”