October 22, 2024: In a significant development in the case surrounding the death of Ripudaman Singh Malik, two men have pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in a British Columbia court. Tanner Fox and Jose Lopez entered their pleas on the eve of their trial, admitting to the July 14, 2022, shooting that resulted in the death of the 75-year-old Sikh man, who had been acquitted in connection with the infamous 1985 Air India Kanishka bombing case.
The plea was made in the BC Supreme Court in New Westminster, where court proceedings revealed that Fox and Lopez had been hired to carry out the assassination. Malik was shot multiple times outside his family business in Surrey, and both men face significant repercussions for their actions.
Malik, alongside co-accused Ajaib Singh Bagri, had been acquitted of mass murder and conspiracy charges in 2005 related to the Air India bombings, which claimed 331 lives, marking it as one of the deadliest terrorist attacks in Canadian history.
During the court hearing, the agreed statement of facts indicated that a financial incentive was involved in Malik's murder. Lopez's attorney, Gloria Ng, expressed hope for her client’s rehabilitation, emphasizing his youth amid the grim circumstances.
Malik's family has spoken out following the guilty pleas, mourning the loss of a beloved father, husband, and community leader. They expressed gratitude for the justice served but highlighted that their quest for complete accountability continues. They called on Fox and Lopez to cooperate with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) in identifying those who orchestrated the murder.
The Crown and defense have agreed that both men should be ineligible for parole for 20 years. They are scheduled to return to court for sentencing on October 31.
The 1985 Air India bombing remains a pivotal moment in Canada’s history, with the tragic loss of life still resonating in the community today. Malik’s family urged that justice will not be complete until those who hired the assassins are brought to justice.
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