A man has been handed a two-year prison sentence for arson and a six-year term for firing a gun at a place where people could be present in connection with the 2024 shooting incident at the home of Punjabi musician and producer AP Dhillon in Colwood, British Columbia. Abjeet Kingra, a 26-year-old individual from Winnipeg, received his sentence in Victoria on September 26 after entering a guilty plea in August.
The judge’s decision highlighted that Kingra was carrying out targeted criminal activities in Canada at the direction of the Lawrence Bishnoi crime group in India. Shortly after this sentencing, the federal government declared the Bishnoi Gang a terrorist entity for its involvement in activities such as murder, shootings, arson, extortion, and intimidation.
Following the incident, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) issued an arrest warrant for another suspect, Vikram Sharma, who is believed to have left Canada. Insp. Stephen Rose, acting officer in charge of West Shore RCMP, emphasized the dedication of their investigative efforts and the ongoing pursuit of Sharma.
Kingra will serve his concurrent sentences, amounting to approximately 4.5 years in jail after accounting for time served since his arrest in October 2024. Additionally, the court imposed a lifetime ban on firearms possession and a DNA order on Kingra.
On September 2, 2024, RCMP responded to reports of gunshots and burning vehicles at Dhillon’s residence in Colwood. Upon arrival, officers found two vehicles engulfed in flames and evidence of gunfire directed at the house. A resident was safely evacuated, and the fire was extinguished by the local fire department.
Kingra was apprehended in Ontario about two months later, on October 30, 2024. Media reports from India indicated that a member of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang had claimed responsibility for the attack on social media shortly after the incident.
Public Safety Canada announced measures to prevent individuals associated with the Bishnoi Gang from entering Canada. The gang’s history of targeting specific communities and individuals with threats of violence and intimidation prompted these actions.
Efforts are ongoing to locate and apprehend Sharma, the remaining suspect wanted for arson and firearm-related offenses. Despite being believed to be in India, law enforcement agencies are working to bring Sharma back to Canada to face charges. Anyone with relevant information is encouraged to contact the authorities.
Concerns were raised about the security of targeted communities in light of the gang’s activities, emphasizing the importance of reporting threats to local law enforcement. Attempts to reach Dhillon for comment were unsuccessful at the time of publication.