A man has been sentenced to two years in prison for arson and six years for firing a gun into a place where people may be present in connection to the 2024 shooting at the home of Punjabi artist AP Dhillon in Colwood, British Columbia. Abjeet Kingra, a 26-year-old individual from Winnipeg, received his sentencing in Victoria on September 26 after pleading guilty in August.
The judge, according to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), stated that Kingra was carrying out targeted criminal activities in Canada at the direction of the Lawrence Bishnoi criminal organization based in India. This decision was made shortly before the Canadian government declared the Bishnoi Gang a terrorist entity due to engaging in activities such as murder, shootings, arson, extortion, and intimidation.
A second suspect, Vikram Sharma, who is believed to have left Canada, has an outstanding arrest warrant issued by the RCMP. Insp. Stephen Rose, the acting officer in charge of West Shore RCMP, commended the investigative efforts that led to Kingra’s sentencing but emphasized the ongoing pursuit of Sharma for justice.
Kingra’s concurrent sentences will result in approximately 4½ years of imprisonment, factoring in time served since his arrest in October 2024. Additionally, the court imposed a lifetime ban on firearms and a DNA order on him.
The RCMP responded to the shooting incident at Dhillon’s residence in Colwood on September 2, 2024, where they found two vehicles ablaze and evidence of gunshots targeting the house. Kingra was apprehended two months later in Ontario on October 30, 2024. Reports from India indicated that a member of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang claimed responsibility for the attack on social media, citing a dispute related to Bollywood star Salman Khan.
Public Safety Canada announced measures to prevent individuals associated with the Bishnoi Gang from entering Canada. Efforts are ongoing to locate and arrest Sharma, who is currently believed to be in India, posing logistical challenges for the RCMP in bringing him to face charges in Canada.
Authorities urged the public to report any threats from the gang and provide information on Sharma’s whereabouts to assist in the apprehension process. Despite attempts to contact Dhillon for comments, no response was received before the article’s publication.