Kingra was acting on instructions from Lawrence Bishnoi crime group in India to commit targeted criminal acts in Canada, says judge
Police looking for Vikram Sharma
WEST Shore RCMP announced on Wednesday that on September 26, 26-year-old Abjeet Kingra was sentenced in Victoria Provincial Court in connection with a shooting and arson investigation that took place on September 2, 2024, in Colwood.
As reported at the time, the targeted house was the Vancouver Island home of Punjabi rapper AP Dhillon (Amritpal Singh Dhillon) who was not there at the time. The video of the shooting went viral on social media and was apparently shot by someone accompanying the gunman and posted as a warning as had happened in similar shootings involving Punjab singers in Canada in the past.
Kingra was sentenced as follows:
- Arson damaging property – 2 years in jail
- Intentionally discharging a firearm into a place knowing or being reckless as to whether another person was present, or being reckless as to the life or safety of another person – 6 years in jail
In delivering the sentence, the judge acknowledged that Kingra’s involvement was not isolated, noting his connection to the Lawrence Bishnoi crime group in India and that he was acting on their instructions to commit targeted criminal acts in Canada.
The sentences are to be served concurrently. Kingra, who has been in custody since his arrest on October 30, 2024, was credited 489 days for time served and will now serve the remaining 4.5 years (1701 days), in jail. In addition, the court has imposed a lifetime firearms prohibition.
Photo: Dhillon’s X
The charges stem from an incident on September 2, 2024, when West Shore RCMP responded to the 3300-block of Ravenwood Road in Colwood after receiving reports of shots fired and vehicles on fire. Officers located two vehicles fully engulfed in flames and discovered evidence that multiple gunshots had been fired at and into a residence. An occupant of the home was safely evacuated by police, and the Colwood Fire Department extinguished the fires.
On October 30, 2024, police arrested Kingra in Ontario. He was later charged with discharge of a firearm with intent, and arson.
Investigators have also identified a second suspect in this case. An arrest warrant remains in effect for 24-year-old Vikram Sharma, who is wanted for:
- Discharge of a firearm with intent
- Arson
Sharma is believed to be currently in India.
Vikram Sharma is described as:
- South Asian male
- 5’9” (174 cm)
- 181 lbs (82 kg)
- Black hair
- Brown eyes
West Shore RCMP said they continue to actively investigate this incident and are working with their partners to locate and apprehend Sharma.
“The sentencing of Abjeet Kingra is the result of months of dedicated investigative work by our officers,” said Inspector Stephen Rose, Acting Officer in Charge of West Shore RCMP. “While we are pleased to see accountability in this case, our work is not done. We remain committed to locating Vikram Sharma and bringing him before the courts.”
Anyone with information about Vikram Sharma’s whereabouts is asked to contact the West Shore RCMP at 250-474-2264 or anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
IN September 2024, Indian media reported that Indian gangster Lawrence Bishnoi’s right-hand man, gangster Rohit Godara, wrote in a social media post, “Greetings to all brothers. On the night of Sept 1, we executed shootings at two locations in Canada-Victoria Island and Woodbridge, Toronto. I, Rohit Godara (Lawrence Bishnoi Group), claim responsibility for this act.”
He added: “The house on Victoria Island belongs to AP Dhillon. [Bollywood superstar] Salman Khan is featured in your songs, and you flaunt your actions. The underworld life you emulate is the life we live. Stay in your place, or you will meet a dog’s death.”
According to one Indian media report, Salman Khan collaborated with AP Dhillon on a music video for the song Old Money, which was released in August. It also featured Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt. In it, Salman comes to the rescue of AP and his associate Bunty when they are outnumbered in a fight.
Last April, two suspects fired shots outside Salman Khan’s residence in Mumbai and police there declared Lawrence Bishnoi and his younger brother Anmol Bishnoi as the “wanted accused” in connection with the incident, according to Indian media.
