Targeted Indo-Canadian businessman and Hindu Temple President has put up his own money in hopes of catching shooters who have targeted him and his businesses with a barrage of bullets in recent weeks. Satish Kumar recently announced a $100,000 reward for information leading to arrests in ongoing extortion cases targeting him and other South Asian businesses, following a series of shootings and threats. Kumar, who owns Reflections Banquet Hall and Satish Accounting, stated that the reward is aimed at encouraging the community to help stop the violence and extortion. 

By DESIBUZZCanada Staff

SURREY – Targeted Indo-Canadian businessman and Hindu Temple President has put up his own money in hopes of catching shooters who have targeted him and his businesses with a barrage of bullets in recent weeks.

Satish Kumar recently announced a $100,000 reward for information leading to arrests in ongoing extortion cases targeting him and other South Asian businesses, following a series of shootings and threats. 

Kumar, who owns Reflections Banquet Hall and Satish Accounting, stated that the reward is aimed at encouraging the community to help stop the violence and extortion. 

He also recently organized another public safety forum to address the issue and is seeking answers from authorities regarding the protection of businesses. 

Kumar’s businesses have been targeted by extortionists, including threats demanding $2 million and shootings at his properties. He feels that authorities are not doing enough to protect South Asian businesses from these threats. 

He has also received support from local leaders, including MP Sukh Dhaliwal and Mayor Brenda Locke, but wants police to attend the forum to provide answers.

Kumar, the president of the Lakshmi Narayan Mandir Temple, says his banquet facility and another business he’s connected to, Hub Insurance, have been targeted by gunfire three times in recent weeks.

The most recent shooting happened outside a strip mall near 128th Street and 80th Avenue, where Hub Insurance is located. Police say they were notified of the incident around 2:30 p.m. that day and are working to determine whether it’s an isolated event or connected to other cases under investigation.

Kumar believes the violence stems from threats he says he received on May 28 through video voicemails from numbers listed as being from Italy and New Zealand demanding $2 million. He says he reported the calls to police, but little progress has been made.

Recently, an Abbotsford-based labour contractor  was shot and killed at his office in Surrey. Police say the motive is still under investigation but the incident does not appear to be linked to any ongoing investigations. No arrests have been made.

Chief Const. Norm Lipinski says the department has launched its own dedicated extortion investigations team to focus on cases in the Newton and Whalley areas while also increasing patrols in a number of business areas in the city.

“These are complex investigations,” said Lipinski. “Some stretch across Canada and some of these go beyond the borders.”

Lipinski says officers are encouraging people to report extortion.

“We know that some of these extortions are under-reported … I understand there’s fear but you can also report it anonymously.”

Kumar didn’t report the shooting to police until two days afterwards.