Jupinderjit Singh
Chandigarh, July 16
The Canadian Police have narrowed down on a white car, in which, they suspect, the killer(s) of Ripudaman Singh Malik, who was acquitted in the 1985 Air India Kanishka terrorist bombing case, travelled before shooting their target near Papillon Eastern Imports building in Surrey, British Columbia, on Thursday.
The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) of the Canadian Police released a video of a white Honda CRV driving through the parking area, stated Toronto Sun, news agencies and a media brief by homicide officials. The car was later found burning.
Homicide investigators urged the public to come forward and report if they had seen the car riders or if they could provide any lead where the car emerged from.
They also urged the public to share any video or photos of the car taken in CCTV cameras or any other device per chance.
The officials also urged the public and the media not to speculate on the motives behind the “targeted killing” as Malik’s named figure in the Kanishka bombing investigation and he was acquitted in 2005. The bombing killed 329 persons on board the Air India flight.
News agencies quoted the IHIT’s Sergeant David Lee saying the Compact Recreational Vehicle (CRV), which was later found burning at 122A Street and 82nd Avenue, was linked to Malik’s targeted slaying.
“A review of CCTV determined that this CRV arrived… a short time before the shooting and waited for Malik,” Lee said, adding, “anyone nearby who witnessed anything or has dash-cam footage taken between 7 am and 9 am is asked to contact investigators”.
“We understand this is a high-profile international story. However, we urge (people) not to speculate about the motive, as our homicide investigators will be following the evidence,” Lee said.
The police have not yet determined a motive in the case and Lee urged the public not to jump to conclusions, saying the IHIT has “a number of investigative avenues available to us”.
News agencies also quoted Malik’s eldest son Jaspreet telling that media outside the family’s USD 6.8-million South Surrey home on Friday that his father had no security concerns and was focused on his businesses and the volunteer work he did for his community.
“My father never said anything to us about anybody ever threatening him or anything like that,” he said.
Radicals involved?
- Punjab Police and Intelligence officials are suspecting the hand of radicals in the killing of Ripudaman Singh Malik
- They say Malik has been killed a few weeks after radicals forced Akal Takht officiating Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh to cancel his Canada visit
- The Jathedar was supposed to visit Malik’s educational institutions between June 20 and 25 in Canada
- “Radical groups opposed Malik’s move to print the Guru Granth Sahib in Canada. They also wrote to the Jathedar, asking him not to honour Malik’s invite,” officials say
- Jathedar’s personal assistant Jaspal Singh confirmed that Malik had invited Giani Harpreet Singh. “He could not go due to some pressing engagements in Punjab,” he said.
Don’t speculate about the motive
We understand this is a high-profile international story. However, we urge (people) not to speculate about the motive, as our investigators will be following the evidence. — Sergeant David Lee, integrated homicide investigation team
Canada police release footage of car linked to Ripudaman’s murder
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