Canada’s immigration tribunal has ordered a Bishnoi gang deportation, targeting a low-ranking associate living in Edmonton. The decision arrived on Friday as part of a broader crackdown on India-based organized crime. Consequently, it adds another name to a growing list of removals tied to the violent extortion network.

Jashandeep Singh, identified as a “bottom-tier” member of the group, is now the latest Indian citizen facing expulsion. Meanwhile, top leaders of the same gang were charged with racketeering earlier in the week. However, Canadian authorities have chosen to deport lower-level suspects like Singh rather than pursue lengthy prosecutions.

Student Visa Holder Turned Gang Associate

Like many others linked to the Bishnoi network, Singh arrived in Canada on a student visa. His parents reportedly borrowed money so he could study at an Edmonton college back in 2022. In hindsight, he described his involvement with the gang as a “mistake.”

Edmonton police identified Singh after reviewing video footage recovered from seized phones. As a result, investigators accused him of operating under a mid-level Bishnoi figure named Arshdeep Singh. Therefore, his case became part of a wider hierarchy investigators have been mapping across the country.

During an Immigration and Refugee Board hearing, an officer testified that Singh was filmed holding a gun. That same weapon was allegedly used in a shooting linked to extortion in Surrey, B.C., on May 19, 2025. In the footage, Singh reportedly aimed the handgun at another man’s head.

He was also present, according to testimony, when the same firearm was fired later that day in Edmonton. Afterward, he allegedly hid the weapon so police would not find it. Additionally, a separate firearm turned up during a search of the home Singh shared with roommates.

The testifying officer described Singh as a “soldier” within the Bishnoi gang’s structure. In his own defence, however, Singh denied being a gang member and denied hiding any guns. Instead, he claimed the videos were simply filmed during Arshdeep’s birthday celebration.

Singh testified that Arshdeep was a friend he had met at school, not a criminal associate. Notably, police allege Arshdeep reported directly to Goldy Brar, described as the Bishnoi gang’s lieutenant for North America. Arshdeep himself was already deported back in February.

Singh further claimed he was intoxicated during the recordings after consuming marijuana gummies. He insisted he was only joking around when he picked up the gun. Nevertheless, the refugee board rejected his account, finding him not credible and citing “numerous inconsistencies” in his statements to investigators.

Extortion Networks Rely on Temporary Visa Holders

This Bishnoi gang deportation case highlights a troubling pattern among Canada’s extortion task forces. Specifically, the gang has leaned heavily on Indian nationals living in the country on student and work visas. These individuals are frequently recruited to carry out violent tasks on the group’s behalf.

Led by Lawrence Bishnoi, who runs operations from an Indian prison, the gang is largely blamed for a wave of extortion targeting Canadian cities with large Sikh populations. Using WhatsApp, Bishnoi and his associate Goldy Brar have reportedly demanded large sums from South Asian business owners across British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario.

To pressure victims into paying, the gang allegedly hires recent arrivals to shoot at or set fire to homes, vehicles, and businesses. Edmonton Police Service Det. Kevin St. Louis testified that “every individual that we’ve identified during this investigation is a temporary foreign worker or on a student visa.” Furthermore, he noted that payments to these recruits were often modest.

According to St. Louis, many gang members were newcomers to Canada seeking a sense of belonging. As a result, the network was able to draw them into serious criminal activity relatively easily. This dynamic has become a central concern for investigators tracking the gang’s growth.

Broader Investigation and International Charges

The RCMP believes Bishnoi and Brar were also behind the 2023 killing of B.C. Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Moreover, investigators suspect the Indian government was ultimately connected to that crime. This allegation has fueled ongoing tension between Canada and India.

On Tuesday, the United States unsealed charges accusing Bishnoi and Brar of directing political assassinations. Among the allegations is an order to kill a victim identified only as H.S.N., an apparent reference to Nijjar. The charges emerged from a probe known as Operation Hard Ball.

Rohit Godara, described as the Bishnoi gang’s leader in Europe, was also charged as part of the same investigation. He remains at large, as does Brar, a former resident of Brampton, Ontario. Meanwhile, the RCMP confirmed no Indian officials were charged as a result of Operation Hard Ball.

Officials noted, however, that the Nijjar murder “remains the subject of a separate and ongoing investigation.” Therefore, this case continues to run alongside the broader crackdown on gang activity. Canadian police have made several arrests aimed at dismantling the network entirely.

Since most members are not Canadian citizens, deportation has become a key enforcement tool against the group. The Canada Border Services Agency reported opening 484 investigations connected to extortion task forces nationwide. Of these, 139 removal orders had been issued as of June 18, and 81 people had already been removed from Canada.

A Plea for a Second Chance

Speaking at his hearing, Singh expressed shame over his actions and the videos shown as evidence. “When I saw the videos, I myself felt what am I doing?” he testified. His words reflected the regret many young recruits reportedly feel once consequences arrive.

He described the financial sacrifice his parents made to send him to Canada in the first place. “My mother and father borrowed the money and sent me here. They took [a] loan so I could make a good future for myself,” he said. According to Singh, his family held high hopes for his future.

“They have many hopes and dreams for me. I do not want to tarnish their hopes and dreams. I admit my mistake of that day. I did this foolishness,” Singh testified. He closed his plea with a simple request: “I should be given one chance.”

Despite his testimony, the immigration tribunal proceeded with the deportation order. This outcome reflects Canada’s tightening stance on gang-linked visa holders. Ultimately, the case underscores how thousands of miles and a student visa can still lead to serious criminal consequences.

As Canada continues its crackdown, more cases like Singh’s are likely to surface in the months ahead. The pattern of recruitment through temporary visas remains a pressing concern for law enforcement. Consequently, further deportations and possible criminal charges are expected as investigations progress.