OTTAWA — The World Sikh Organization of Canada (WSO) has publicly condemned reports indicating that Canada’s Department of Justice intends to withhold “sensitive” national security information from the forthcoming murder trial of the four men accused of assassinating Bhai Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
According to a press release issued by the World Sikh Organization of Canada on February 19, 2026, the Department of Justice has argued that releasing certain evidence “would be injurious to international relations and national security.” The advocacy organization firmly rejected this justification, stating that concealing evidence under the guise of protecting international relations is unacceptable.
The World Sikh Organization of Canada emphasized that withholding this critical information “would amount to a denial of justice, not only for the [Hardeep Singh Nijjar] family, but for the entire Sikh community and for all Canadians who expect accountability when foreign states are involved in violence and criminal activity on Canadian soil.”
Contrast with United States Legal Proceedings
The press release contrasted the Canadian government’s approach with the prosecution strategy in the United States concerning Nikhil Gupta. Gupta recently pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire and conspiracy to commit money laundering regarding the attempted murder of Sikh activist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.
The World Sikh Organization of Canada noted that U.S. authorities publicly detailed the allegations of direct involvement by Indian state actors in the plot against Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.
“There is no reason why Canadian authorities should adopt a more secretive and deferential approach when dealing with similar allegations in Canada,” the organization stated.
Furthermore, the World Sikh Organization of Canada warned that because Canadian law enforcement and government officials have already acknowledged India’s transnational repression, hiding evidence would only serve to validate India’s ongoing denials and “embolden further acts of intimidation and violence.”
WSO Leadership Issues Strong Rebuke
Danish Singh, President of the World Sikh Organization of Canada, issued a comprehensive statement denouncing any political interference in the judicial process for the sake of diplomatic resets or trade.
“While we have seen our government approach a reset with India without accountability and safeguards, the suggestion that this reset may also be influencing decisions around transparency in the murder case of Bhai Hardeep Singh Nijjar is a new low. Justice is not negotiable and can’t be suppressed in the name of international relations or diplomacy.
The Government of Canada cannot hide the evidence of India’s involvement in the assassination of a Canadian citizen on Canadian soil in order to promote business and trade objectives.
Canadian Sikhs have already paid an unacceptable price for years of inaction and equivocation in the face of credible allegations of Indian state-sponsored violence. Canada must take a firm position in support of the rule of law and ensure that there is full transparency in Bhai Nijjar’s murder proceedings. No foreign state should be above the law in Canada.”
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