Ottawa

Indian-origin builder Boota Singh Gill was killed in Canada on Monday (April 8) after he was shot multiple times. Boota Singh Gill served as the head of Guru Nanak Sikh Temple in Canada's Edmonton. Another person, identified as a civil engineer Sarabjeet Singh, was also reportedly shot and is currently fighting for his life. 

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The incident reportedly took place at a construction site linked to Gill’s business near the Millwood Rec Center in the Alberta province.

Boota Singh Gill shot dead: What happened?

According to preliminary reports, three individuals were present at the construction site when an altercation ensued, following which an Indian-origin construction worker shot both Gill and Sarabjeet and shot himself dead as well. 

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An investigation is currently ongoing to ascertain why the altercation took place. 

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The reports add that Gill had previously filed police complaints about receiving extortion calls and threats on a number of occasions. 

The police have initiated an investigation into the matter. Other builders in Edmonton are also receiving threats to life and in the past few days, incidents of newly constructed homes being set on fire are being reported from across the city. 

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Earlier, in a press conference in January this year, the Edmonton police had claimed, without providing any evidence, that a criminal network in India is behind a series of extortions targeting home builders in Edmonton’s South Asian community.

Canada-based CBC News claimed that 27 events — five extortions, 15 arsons, and seven firearms offences — are linked to a criminal gang in India which uses local operatives. WION could not independently verify these claims. 

Staff Sgt. Dave Paton had said that six youths have been arrested and charged in connection with these crimes.

He further said that the gang operates through WhatsApp calls.

Prominent Indian-Canadian figures such as Member of Parliament Tim Uppal, Mayor Amarjeet Singh Sohi, Radio India’s Managing Director Maninder Gill, and Gursharan Singh Butter have expressed their condolences and solidarity with the affected families after Monday's killings.

(With inputs from agencies)