A man has been sentenced to a two-year prison term for arson and six years for firing a gun at Punjabi artist AP Dhillon’s residence in Colwood, British Columbia in 2024. Abjeet Kingra, a 26-year-old individual from Winnipeg, received his sentence in Victoria on September 26 after admitting guilt in August.
According to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), the judge’s ruling stated that Kingra was following instructions from the Lawrence Bishnoi criminal organization in India to carry out targeted criminal activities in Canada. This sentencing occurred shortly before the government’s decision to designate the Bishnoi Gang as a terrorist entity due to its involvement in murder, shootings, arson, extortion, and intimidation.
Kingra’s jail time will run concurrently, leading to an approximate 4.5-year incarceration after accounting for time served since his arrest in October 2024. Additionally, he has been subjected to a lifetime ban on possessing firearms and a DNA order.
In a separate incident, RCMP responded to gunshots and vehicle fires at Dhillon’s home in Colwood on September 2, 2024. Upon arrival, law enforcement found two vehicles ablaze and evidence of multiple gunshots directed at the residence. A resident was safely evacuated, and firefighters extinguished the flames.
Kingra was apprehended two months later in Ontario on October 30, 2024. Following the shooting, reports from India indicated that a member of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang claimed responsibility for the attack on social media. The gang member warned Dhillon to stay cautious, referencing Bollywood star Salman Khan and a past incident involving the Bishnoi community.
Public Safety Canada stated that individuals associated with the Bishnoi Gang could be denied entry into Canada under immigration laws. Efforts are ongoing to locate Vikram Sharma, a wanted suspect connected to the arson and firearm discharge incident, who is believed to be in India, posing challenges to the investigation.
RCMP is collaborating with international authorities to locate Sharma for prosecution. The Bishnoi Gang’s history of targeting specific communities with violence and intimidation underscores the need for vigilance and reporting any threats to local law enforcement. Any information regarding Sharma’s whereabouts is encouraged to be shared with the authorities.