Canadian Border Officer Wanted In India Given Clean Chit Amid Terrorism Charges

New Delhi, India: A Canian border official, who h been wanted by India on terrorism-related charges, has been cleared of any wrongdoing by his employer, Cana Border Services Agency (CBSA), and reinstated to his post. Sandeep Singh Sidhu, also known as Sunny Toronto, h faced accusations from Indian government of promoting terrorist activities and involvement in murder of a Shaurya Chakra awardee in Punjab . 

decision comes at a time of heightened diplomatic tensions between Cana and India, following murder of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Cana. 

Sandeep Sidhu, who works as a border police official for CBSA, h been implicated by India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) in a series of serious charges, including his alleged membership in banned International Sikh Youth Federation (ISYF). NIA also accused Sidhu of being linked to Khalistani separatist terror networks and Pakistan ’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). 

One of most severe allegations against Sidhu was his involvement in assassination of Balwinder Singh Sandhu, a Shaurya Chakra awardee, in Punjab’s Tarn Taran district in October 2020. Indian government also ded Sidhu to its list of fugitives sought for deportation, citing his role in terror activities.

However, after a lengthy investigation, Cana Border Services Agency has cleared Sidhu of allegations and confirmed that he would resume his duties with agency. According to reports, Sidhu’s lawyers have expressed frustration with Cana’s handling of case, claiming that Canian government should have more vigorously defended him against what y describe as a “hostile disinformation campaign” by India.

investigation and Sidhu’s subsequent reinstatement come amid an escalating diplomatic standoff between Cana and India. Relations between two countries deteriorated sharply following murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a prominent Khalistani separatist, in British Columbia earlier this year. Canian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused agents of Indian government of being involved in Nijjar's killing, although he has not provided any concrete evidence to support claim.

India has denied any involvement in Nijjar’s death, and allegations have fueled growing tensions between two countries. As a result, timing of Sidhu’s reinstatement raises eyebrows, with some analysts suggesting that it may be linked to broer geopolitical context of dispute between India and Cana.

Sidhu’s defense team has been vocal in criticizing way Canian government handled allegations. y contend that Canian authorities failed to properly dress foreign accusations and protect Sidhu from what y view as an orchestrated campaign by India. 

“This is a case where government of Cana should have defended him more vigorously against a foreign nation that was launching a hostile disinformation campaign,” one of Sidhu’s lawyers stated. y emphasized that Sidhu was presumed innocent until proven guilty, and any potential misconduct should be thoroughly examined without succumbing to international pressures.

case of Sandeep Sidhu comes at a time when Cana has become a focal point for political and cultural debates surrounding Khalistan movement, which seeks an independent Sikh state. While Cana officially recognizes right of its citizens to express ir political views, including support for Khalistan cause, India views such activities as a threat to its national security.

In response to tensions, Indian officials have repeatedly expressed concern over Cana’s growing tolerance of pro-Khalistan activities within its borders, furr complicating alrey fraught diplomatic relationship.