Authorities believe that an Indian government agent had former NDP leader Jagmeet Singh under ‘close surveillance.’ In response, the RCMP had Singh placed under police protection for the last 18 months.
The agent posed a risk to Singh’s life, and is believed to be associated with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, who have had a close relationship with Indian intelligence agencies. The agent had information about Singh’s daily routine, his travel schedule, and his family and friends.
The RCMP claim Singh’s life is no longer in any imminent danger.
The espionage incident draws questions regarding other past incidents of foreign agent activities, particularly from India and China, which have included election interference, intimidation, and assassinations. There is also growing pressure for Prime Minister Mark Carney, who received strong support from Canada’s Sikh community in the April election, to rescind India’s controversial invite to the G7 meeting in Alberta next week.