The Canadian government has opted to proceed with a direct indictment against four Indian nationals accused of murdering Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. The case has now been moved to the Canadian Supreme Court, bypassing pre-trial proceedings previously scheduled at the Surrey Provincial Court, according to a report on Sunday.

What is a Direct Indictment?

A direct indictment allows a case to move straight to trial, skipping the preliminary hearing where defence lawyers typically cross-examine witnesses and review evidence. This rarely-used legal mechanism, permitted under the Canadian Criminal Code, is invoked by the Attorney General in situations deemed to involve significant public interest, such as concerns over the safety of witnesses or informants.

Accused Individuals

The four accused—Karan Brar, Amandeep Singh, Kamalpreet Singh, and Karanpreet Singh—were charged by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) for their alleged involvement in Nijjar's killing. They were scheduled to appear in Surrey Provincial Court on November 21, but this hearing was cancelled after the Crown decided to advance the case directly to the Supreme Court.

A Canadian official stated, “On November 18, 2024, the Crown directed a stay of proceedings in the Surrey provincial court file, as we are now proceeding by way of direct indictment in Supreme Court. The November 21 provincial court appearance was cancelled as the matter has moved to the Supreme Court.”

Context of the Case

The decision to pursue direct indictment comes in the aftermath of diplomatic tensions between Canada and India. The Trudeau administration recently faced criticism after withdrawing allegations implicating Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Nijjar’s assassination. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau defended his government, stating, “Criminals leaking top-secret information to the media have repeatedly been proven unreliable. This is why we initiated a national inquiry into foreign interference.”

The move to proceed directly to trial underscores the Canadian government’s efforts to fast-track the high-profile case while avoiding further controversy amid strained Indo-Canadian relations.