Media in India are being fed propaganda by Indian government agencies about Khalistani link to the murder last week of former Air India suspect Ripudaman Singh Malik while many in the Sikh community suspect links to the Indian agencies being behind Malik’s murder. Postmedia recently reported that well known Surrey-based Khalisatani Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s name being thrown around as a possible suspect in Malik’s murder but Nijjar, who is president of Surrey’s Guru Nanak Sikh temple, denied the charge and said he has contacted his lawyer about Indian news reports speculating that he is somehow linked to Malik’s murder.

By DESIBUZZCanada Staff With News Files

SURREY – Media in India are being fed propaganda by Indian government agencies about Khalistani link to the murder last week of former Air India suspect Ripudaman Singh Malik while many in the Sikh community suspect links to the Indian agencies being behind Malik’s murder.

Postmedia recently reported that well known Surrey-based Khalisatani Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s name being thrown around as a possible suspect in Malik’s murder but Nijjar, who is president of Surrey’s Guru Nanak Sikh temple, denied the charge and said he has contacted his lawyer about Indian news reports speculating that he is somehow linked to Malik’s murder.

Nijjar told Postmedia that he got along with Malik and even sent his son to Khalsa School, of which Malik was a founder and long-time director.

But several Indian news reports have repeated allegations that Nijjar is a separatist extremist linked to crimes in India, and quoted Indian intelligence officials suggesting a link to the Malik murder.

Nijjar’s New York lawyer, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, told Postmedia Monday that he couldn’t yet comment on any actions he might take on his client’s behalf.

But he said Nijjar “is being vindictively targeted and accused of crimes solely based on dissenting political opinions.”

“Since Nijjar is organizing the Khalistan Referendum campaign in Canada, the Indian government wants to use its resources to shut down his voice,” said Pannun.

Malik, a controversial community leader and acquitted Air India bombing suspect, was shot to death Thursday, July 15 about 9:30 a.m. as he arrived at the Surrey office of his Papillon company in a plaza on 128th Street.

The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team has urged the public not to speculate about a motive in the high-profile killing.

Investigators later released video of a white Honda CRV circling the building 80 minutes earlier, with the suspected killer or killers inside. The vehicle was found in flames minutes after Malik was killed in what has become a hallmark of gangland slayings on the Lower Mainland.

Nijjar told Postmedia he has received no formal notice of any extradition proceedings related to the allegations made against him in India despite regular Indian news reports levelling accusations against him.

“I am living here since ’97. I did not go back to India,” Nijjar said. “I’m working hard as a plumber and at the temple. … I’m a community servant, right?”

While there has been reports that the murder could be linked to Malik’s support of India’s rightwing PM Narendra Modi but Nijjar told Postmedia he has never had any dispute or issue with Malik.

“I was very shocked. He was a good personality in the community,” Nijjar said.

Prayer services for Malik are being held all week at two Surrey Khalsa Schools.