THE Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) in a statement on Monday commended the Attorney General of Canada for “invoking Section 577 of the Criminal Code to safeguard witnesses in the Hardeep Singh Nijjar assassination case.”

The SFJ said that the decision to advance the case directly to the BC Supreme Court under “direct trial by indictment” reflects the seriousness of ongoing threats to the witnesses involved.

“This decisive action by the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) underscores the grave dangers posed to witnesses by Indian proxies and agents operating within Canada,” said Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, SFJ General Counsel.

“The assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar and subsequent threats to witnesses expose the pervasive influence of the Indian spy network, coordinated through consulates in Toronto and Vancouver,” alleged Pannun.

Pannun noted that Section 577 of the Criminal Code empowers the Attorney General or Deputy Attorney General to bypass a preliminary inquiry and proceed directly to trial. According to the Public Prosecution Service of Canada, this measure is reserved for circumstances where public interest is paramount. Key justifications include:

– Witness Safety: Evidence suggests a reasonable basis to believe that the lives, safety, or security of witnesses, their families, or other justice system participants are at risk. Direct trial minimizes these risks by eliminating the preliminary inquiry stage.

– Protection of Investigations: Direct indictment safeguards ongoing police operations and investigations critical to ensuring justice and public safety.

The SFJ urged Canadian authorities “to remain vigilant and take further actions to dismantle external threats jeopardizing Canada’s justice system and the safety of pro-Khalistan Sikhs.”

Nijjar was assassinated on June 18, 2023, in a parking lot of Surrey’s Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara where he served as president.

Indian nationals Karan Brar, 22, Kamalpreet Singh, 22, and Karanpreet Singh, 28, and Amandeep Singh, 22, have been charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder in connection to Nijjar’s murder. Amandeep Singh is in custody in Ontario, while the other three are in the Surrey detention centre.

According to the court registry, Kamalpreet Singh, Karanpreet Singh and Amandeep Singh were to appear in Surrey Provincial Court on November 18.