The Canadian government has escalated the Nijjar murder case, involving four Indian suspects, from the Surrey Provincial Court to the British Columbia Supreme Court.
This move follows the prosecution's request for direct indictments against the four accused in the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. As a result, the case will proceed without a preliminary hearing.
By bypassing the preliminary stage, the defense counsel for the accused—Karan Brar, Kamalpreet Singh, Karanpreet Singh, and Amandeep Singh—will not have the opportunity to cross-examine witnesses or review the evidence presented by the prosecution before the trial begins.
This means the defense will face the full trial without a preview of the prosecution’s case.
The four accused are currently being held in detention and were initially scheduled for a hearing on November 21, which has now been canceled. Instead, their next court appearance is set for February 11, 2025.
In Canada, the use of direct indictment is governed by the Canadian Criminal Code and is considered a significant legal step. It is usually reserved for cases of public interest, particularly where there are safety concerns for witnesses, their families, or informants.
The power to seek direct indictment is a special authority held by the Attorney General, who must ensure that individuals who need to be tried are brought to court efficiently.
This case has drawn significant attention, especially following statements from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, highlighting its impact on Canada-India relations and sparking international discussion in the realm of crime and world news.
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