Officer—wanted in India for terrorism—given clean chit by Trudeau government
What's the story
Sandeep Singh Sidhu, aka Sunny Toronto, has been exonerated of charges by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).
The CBSA officer was wanted in India for furthering terrorism and the murder of Shaurya Chakra awardee Balwinder Singh Sandhu.
After an investigation by the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), Sidhu has been reinstated as a superintendent at CBSA.
Terrorism links
Sidhu's alleged connections and accusations
Sidhu, who is linked to the banned International Sikh Youth Federation (ISYF), has been accused of having links with Khalistani terror networks and Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).
India's National Investigation Agency (NIA) accused him of orchestrating Sandhu's assassination in Punjab in 2020.
The case against Sidhu was handed over to the NIA in 2021, which alleged that operatives of the banned Khalistan Liberation Force masterminded Sandhu's murder.
Probe details
CSIS investigation and Sidhu's reinstatement
Despite these allegations, Sidhu was subjected to a year-long investigation by CSIS, including polygraph tests and scrutiny of his personal records.
"I have been through a year-long investigation where they've talked to my family, they've talked to my coworkers," Sidhu told CBC.
The decision to clear Sidhu comes amid strained diplomatic relations between Canada and India.
Diplomatic strain
Tensions between Canada and India
Tensions flared after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused Indian government agents of involvement in the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar without any evidence.
New Delhi dismissed these allegations as "absurd."
Sidhu's lawyers argued that the Canadian government should have defended him more vigorously against what they described as a hostile disinformation campaign by a foreign government.