January 9, 2025: In a high-profile case that has garnered international attention, a Canadian court has granted bail to four Indian nationals accused of assassinating Khalistani separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

The accused—Karan Brar, Amandeep Singh, Kamalpreet Singh, and Karanpreet Singh—face charges of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder. Despite the severity of the allegations, the court permitted their release on bail ahead of their trial, which has now been moved to the British Columbia Supreme Court. The next hearing is scheduled for February 11, 2025.

Hardeep Nijjar, a prominent figure in the pro-Khalistan movement, was fatally shot in June 2023 in Surrey, British Columbia. His assassination sparked diplomatic tensions between Canada and India, following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's public allegations that the Indian government was involved in the killing. India has strongly denied the accusations, dismissing them as "baseless and unfounded."

The granting of bail to the accused is expected to intensify scrutiny on the case as both legal proceedings and diplomatic negotiations unfold. The developments will be closely watched, particularly in light of the ongoing strained relations between the two nations.

Further details surrounding the trial and the evidence against the accused are anticipated to emerge in the coming weeks.