Just the tip of the iceberg

Indian minister in the cross-hairs of the Canadian government

- V Sudarshan

Investigations by the multidisciplinary team created by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in February this year have placed a senior minister in the cross-hairs of the Canadian government, the Washington Post revealed on Monday.

In a report ('Canada alleges much wider campaign by Modi government against Sikhs') that was published around the same time as the extraordinary disclosures which claimed the Indian missions in Canada orchestrated criminal activity targeting Canadians, the Post quoted senior unnamed Canadian officials as saying they were in possession of evidence that the minister, a member of the "inner circle" was involved in the events.

According to the Post, "Conversations and texts among Indian diplomats include references to 'a senior official in India and a senior official in RAW' who have authorized the intelligence-gathering missions and attacks on Sikh separatists." And that "senior official" was identified by the Canadians as a senior minister.

In a press conference on Thanksgiving Monday (a holiday), convened to underline the Canadian intent and seriousness, the RMCP said, "We reached a point where we felt it was imperative to confront the government of India."

The nearly eight-month investigation had revealed Indian hand behind intimidation, harassment, extortion and, among other things, homicides, for which at least eight persons have been arrested and charged; besides there were specific case of extortions, for which 22 persons have been charged.