US charges Indian crime leader in Sikh activist’s assassination

The United States has indicted a leader of an Indian organized crime network, accusing him of orchestrating the assassination of a Sikh leader on U.S. soil. The indictment, unsealed Tuesday, alleges the crime boss acted at the behest of Indian government officials.

Federal prosecutors claim the assassination plot targeted Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a prominent Sikh leader in Canada who was shot dead in June 2023. The U.S. indictment details a similar plot targeting a different Sikh leader within the United States. The alleged involvement of Indian government officials in these plots has significantly complicated diplomatic relations, particularly between the U.S., India, and Canada.

Details of the alleged plot emerged as part of a broader investigation into international crime. The U.S. Department of Justice stated that the identified crime leader is associated with a network that has engaged in various illicit activities, including drug trafficking and contract killings. The indictment underscores the gravity of the allegations and the potential for international fallout.