In connection with the ongoing investigation regarding a series of extortion cases targeting Indo-Canadians, India’s High Commissioner to Ottawa Sanjay Kumar Verma said on Friday that India could assist in investigating links to gangs operating there but only if there is a formal request from Ottawa along with evidence.
What did the Envoy say?
India’s High Commissioner to Ottawa Sanjay Kumar Verma's remarks on the matter came as Canada is yet to contact Indian authorities in this regard. However, he added that there were “existing mechanisms between the two governments to cooperate on organized crimes.”
He stated, “If specific and relevant evidence — not merely unsubstantiated allegations — are shared with us, pointing to links between Canadian extortionists and Indian gangsters, we shall act accordingly.”
About the extortion cases
As per reports, an investigation by the Edmonton Police Service or EPS is underway regarding 27 events linked to an alleged “extortion series” that have taken place in the region since October last year. The nefarious cases include 5 extortions, 15 arsons, and 7 firearms offences.
The Edmonton police also said that they believed these crimes were being “orchestrated from India.” At a press conference on Thursday, EPS Staff Sgt Dave Paton said, “It’s our belief that these crimes are being orchestrated from India.”
“Typically our victims receive WhatsApp communication, and then from there, there’s a request that comes along with that for compensation to allow those victims to remain safe,” he said.
On January 4, in a statement, EPS apprehended six persons in this connection “for shooting and arson incidents that have been connected to the extortion series”.
