Two years after the initial report of a series of extortion attempts in British Columbia, the province continues to face ongoing threats, demands, and associated violence. A recent shooting in South Surrey on November 8 was linked to extortion, with over 100 extortion incidents reported in the province by November 7, 2025.
The Bishnoi gang based in India has claimed responsibility for some Canadian shootings on social media, and there is evidence suggesting a connection between the Bishnoi gang and Indian government agents, as per police statements.
Galib Bhayani, a criminology professor at Kwantlen Polytechnic University and former RCMP officer, highlighted the challenges faced by law enforcement in investigating these international extortion attempts. He emphasized the difficulties arising from limited information sharing between Canada and India.
The strained relationship between Canada and India escalated when former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused Indian government agents of involvement in the killing of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in 2023. The subsequent diplomatic expulsions further deteriorated ties between the two nations.
Federal RCMP commissioner Michael Duheme previously stated that there is strong evidence implicating the highest levels of the Indian government in orchestrating violence on Canadian soil, including murder and extortion. Efforts to share evidence with Indian authorities have been unsuccessful.
Bhayani noted the lack of experience among local B.C. police forces in handling such complex investigations which require substantial resources. A specialized RCMP-led task force was established in September to address the rise in extortion incidents, comprising 40 members from various law enforcement agencies.
Recent updates from the RCMP indicate a rise in extortion cases in British Columbia since the establishment of the task force, partly attributed to an increase in public reporting of incidents. The complexity of these investigations was a focal point at an extortion town hall event hosted by CBC BC on November 13.
Jinny Sims, a radio host and former Surrey-area MP, emphasized the need for local arrests in response to the community impact of international extortion investigations. Bhayani called for enhanced transparency from the police regarding arrests, seizures, and disruptions made in such cases, aiming to build trust with the public through regular updates.
