Latest news with #HarjeetSinghDhadda
Hindustan Times
18-05-2025
- Hindustan Times
Sikh bizman killed in shooting faced repeated threats, say kin
Canadian law enforcement has said that it is 'actively and thoroughly examining' the murder of an Indo-Canadian Sikh businessman in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), on Wednesday. While the name of the victim had been circulating since the killing, which occurred in broad daylight, Peel Regional Police (PRP) formally identified him as 51-year-old Harjeet Singh Dhadda. In a statement, PRP said the victim 'was approached by the suspect and shot multiple times while in a parking lot near Tranmere Drive and Telford Way in Mississauga.' He later succumbed to the injuries sustained. The suspects fled in a 2018 Black Dodge Challenger, which was recovered shortly following the incident. Responding to queries from Hindustan Times, a PRP spokesperson said, 'Please be assured that our investigators are actively and thoroughly examining every aspect of this case. As with any investigation, we are committed to following the facts and upholding the integrity of the investigative process.' 'At this time, it is believed that this was a targeted shooting,' it added, in a release issued on Friday. There have been several unverified claims related to the murder on social media, including a post attributed to a member of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang that Dhadda had been targeted. Unconfirmed reports also linked Dhadda, originally from Uttarakhand to a murder in the state of 70-year-old mining trader Mahal Singh in October 2022. At the time, HT, quoting an unnamed senior state police official had reported that a 'week before his murder, the trader had received a threat call from Canada from one Harjeet Singh, alias Kaale.' In that regard, PRP said, 'Investigators are also aware of unverified information circulating online and in the media regarding the possible motive'. It urged 'the public to refrain from speculation as this remains an active investigation, and all potential leads will be thoroughly examined.' The local network Omni reported on Thursday that Dhadda had been targeted for extortion but had refused to pay up. His daughter Gurleen Dhadda told the channel, 'They asked for $500,000 from my dad, but my dad denied it. My dad said he's not going to pay a single penny because he works for it.' According to local media reports, Dhadda was shot six times. In a social media post, his son Tanveer Singh Dhadda said, 'My father did not deserve this. He was not involved in anything criminal. He lived an honest life. Yet, those who came to harm him were armed with illegal weapons, operating with complete disregard for the law and seemingly without fear of consequences.'
Time of India
17-05-2025
- Time of India
Who was Indian-origin insurance broker Harjeet Singh Dhadda, shot dead in Canada?
Harjeet Singh Dhadda came to Canada in 1997 and settled here with his family and business. A 51-year-old Sikh businessman, Harjeet Singh Dhadda , was shot by unidentified gunmen at a parking lot in Mississauga, Ontario, earlier this week. Peel Regional Police said he died in the hospital after 20 rounds of firing and investigators believe it was a targeted shooting -- implying that the shooters came to kill him. His family members have accused the police of gross negligence as they said they reported all the threat calls that their father was receiving and even begged for security but the police did not pay any heed. Who was Harjeet Singh Dhadda? According to the family, Dhadda is a businessman who came to settle in Canada in 1997. "For more than 25 years, he worked hard to build a life here-- he ran his own business, was a successful insurance broker and contributed positively to this country," his daughter Gurlin Dhadda said in her statement. Some reports, however, claimed that Dhadda was a businessman in the trucking services industry. Rohit Gadara, an aide of notorious Lawrence Bishnoi, claimed the killing of Dhadda and said Dhadda was given a warning a year ago. But despite that, Dhadda, they said, helped Arsh Dalla's release on bail. Arsh Dalla is Khalistan Tiger Force chief. Family refutes any criminal connection Dhadda's family members refuted any criminal link. "My father did not deserve this. He was not involved in anything criminal. He lived an honest life. Yet, those who came to harm him were armed with illegal weapons, operating with complete disregard for the law and seemingly without fear of consequences," son Tanveer Dhadda said. "Our community is grieving, but we are also outraged. We ask: What is the government doing about rising extortion and targeted violence? Why are innocent people left defenceless while the threats grow louder? When the authorities fail to protect us, what options do we have?" daughter Gurlin wrote in her statement. What police said about receiving complaints from Dhadda Peel police told CBC News that they are aware of "unverified information currently circulating in the media" about the homicide. Police did not say if they had received reports about threats against Dhadda. Peel police Chief Nishan Duraiappah said that police noticed a "disturbing" trend in late 2023 in which South Asian business owners were becoming the victims of extortion attempts for large sums of money under the threat of violence. He said a task force was set up at that time to investigate into those cases.
Toronto Star
17-05-2025
- Toronto Star
‘We begged for protection': Mississauga businessman fatally shot after years of threats, daughter says
The daughter of a Toronto-area businessman killed in a brazen shooting in Mississauga says she believes her father would still be alive if police acted with greater urgency to the repeated threats against him. Speaking to the Star, Gurlin Dhadda identified the victim of Wednesday's killing as her father, Harjeet Singh Dhadda, 51. She called him a hardworking man, a proud Canadian resident and a leader in the local Punjabi Sikh community.
Hindustan Times
16-05-2025
- Hindustan Times
Sikh businessman shot dead outside his office in Canada
Chandigarh : A Sikh businessman was shot dead outside his office in Canada's Mississauga on Wednesday, sparking shock and concern across the South Asian and business communities in Ontario. The victim was identified by multiple sources as Harjeet Singh Dhadda, a 40-year-old entrepreneur originally from Bazpur, Uttarakhand, who had built a successful trucking safety and insurance consultancy in the Greater Toronto Area. While Peel Regional Police have not officially released his name, sources close to the investigation confirm Dhadda was the man killed in the broad daylight shooting. Emergency crews responded to reports of gunfire near Tranmere Drive and Telford Way at approximately 11.53 am. According to Peel Police, officers arrived to find a man suffering from 'obvious signs of trauma'. Paramedics performed CPR at the scene, but the victim was later pronounced dead. A spokesperson for Peel paramedics confirmed the man had suffered multiple gunshot wounds. Unconfirmed reports suggest Dhadda was shot four times outside his office. According to people familiar with the matter, Dhadda had recently received threatening phone calls from individuals demanding extortion money and had reported the matter to local authorities. However, police have not confirmed whether these threats are connected to the shooting. 'We are in the early stages of our investigation,' said constable Michelle Stafford of Peel Police. 'We believe this to be an isolated incident and there is no immediate threat to public safety.' 'The Homicide Bureau is now leading the investigation. At this time, there are no suspects in custody and no descriptions have been released. Police are canvassing the area for security camera footage and are urging any witnesses to come forward,' Peel Police said in a statement. A heavy police presence remained in the area throughout the day as investigators continued to collect evidence. Anyone with information is asked to contact Peel Regional Police or leave an anonymous tip through crime stoppers.
Indian Express
15-05-2025
- Indian Express
Sikh businessman shot dead outside his office in Canada's Mississauga
A Sikh businessman, operating a trucking safety and insurance consultancy, was shot dead on Wednesday morning outside his office in Canada's Mississauga, sending shockwaves through the local South Asian community. Multiple sources have identified the deceased as Harjeet Singh Dhadda, an entrepreneur in the logistics and compliance industry. Peel Regional Police, which responded to the reports of the shooting near Tranmere Drive and Telford Way at 11.53 am, have, however, not officially released the identity of the victim. The police later pronounced Dhadda dead at the scene. According to sources, Dhadda had recently received threatening calls from extortionists and had reported the matter to police. Unconfirmed reports indicate that he was shot four times outside his office. Originally from Bazpur, Uttarakhand, India, Dhadda had established himself as a successful businessman in Ontario, in Mississauga. The Peel Regional Police have launched a homicide investigation. A heavy police presence was seen at the scene of the crime, and authorities are appealing for any witnesses or security footage from the area. As of now, no arrests have been made, and the motive remains under investigation, officials said. This incident bears similarities to recent concerns raised within the business community over rising cases of targeted threats and extortion attempts, particularly involving South Asian entrepreneurs. Last month, a student hailing from Punjab was allegedly shot dead while waiting at a bus stop in Canada's Hamilton on Thursday. According to Hamilton police, the shooting occurred while the victim, identified as Harsimrat Randhawa, 21, a student of Mohawk College, was waiting for public transport around 7.30 pm. Randhawa later succumbed to a gunshot wound to her chest at a hospital.
