A man has been given a two-year jail term for arson and a six-year sentence for firing a gun into a place where people could be present in connection to the 2024 shooting at the residence of Punjabi artist and producer AP Dhillon in Colwood, British Columbia. Abjeet Kingra, a 26-year-old individual from Winnipeg, received his sentencing in Victoria on September 26 after entering a guilty plea in August.
The judge stated in the ruling that Kingra was following instructions from the Lawrence Bishnoi criminal organization in India to carry out targeted criminal activities in Canada. Shortly after this sentencing, the government declared the Bishnoi Gang a terrorist entity, citing their involvement in murder, shootings, arson, extortion, and intimidation.
Law enforcement has issued an arrest warrant for another suspect, Vikram Sharma, who is believed to have left the country. Insp. Stephen Rose, the acting officer in charge of West Shore RCMP, expressed satisfaction at the outcome of Kingra’s case but emphasized the ongoing efforts to locate and apprehend Sharma.
Kingra will serve his sentences concurrently and is expected to spend approximately 4½ years behind bars after factoring in time served since his arrest in October 2024. Additionally, the court imposed a lifetime ban on firearms possession and a DNA order on Kingra.
The incident at Dhillon’s Colwood residence on September 2, 2024, involved gunshots and vehicles set on fire. Upon arrival, law enforcement found two vehicles ablaze and evidence of gunfire directed at the house. A resident was evacuated, and the fire was extinguished by the fire department.
Kingra was apprehended about two months later in Ontario. Following the shooting, a member of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang claimed responsibility for the attack on social media, citing past grievances involving Bollywood star Salman Khan. The gang has been linked to similar incidents targeting prominent figures in India.
Public Safety Canada announced measures to prevent individuals associated with the gang from entering Canada. Authorities are actively seeking Sharma, who is wanted for arson and firearm-related offenses. The Bishnoi Gang’s history of violence and intimidation has prompted warnings to communities and individuals to report any threats to law enforcement.
Efforts to locate Sharma, who is believed to be in India, are ongoing, with authorities prepared to collaborate internationally for his extradition. Anyone with information on Sharma’s whereabouts is urged to contact the RCMP. Requests for comments from Dhillon were not returned at the time of publication.
