Bollywood star comedian Kapil Sharma’s Kap’s Cafe has been shot up for the third time since July, a complete embarrassment  for Surrey Police Service (SPS), which has failed to catch the shooters after much talk of fighting violent crime and the police chief dining at the restaurant with Mayor Brenda Locke in a show force to protect local businesses. SPS is under public and political pressure to bring this extortion related shootings under control as they continue on a weekly basis.

By PD Raj – Senior Reporter DESIBUZZCanada

Photos by Sukhwant Singh Dhillon 

SURREY – Bollywood star comedian Kapil Sharma’s Kap’s Cafe has been shot up for the third time since July, a complete embarrassment  for Surrey Police Service (SPS), which has failed to catch the shooters after much talk of fighting violent crime and the police chief dining at the restaurant with Mayor Brenda Locke in a show force to protect local businesses.

SPS is under public and political pressure to bring this extortion related shootings under control as they continue on a weekly basis.

Kap’s Café was again shot up with it’s windows shattered to pieces on October 16 at approximately 3:43 am in the 800 block of 120 Street, Surrey.

The Cafe, which was personally designed by Sharma’s wife Ginni, was first struck in the early morning hours on July 10 — a week after it originally opened — and then again less than a month later on Aug. 7.

In the Aug. 7 incident, the SPS also discovered what looked like a Molotov cocktail outside. Images from the scene showed what appears to be a glass bottle, full of liquid, with a rag hanging from the top.

Employees have reportedly been inside the restaurant during all three attacks. No one has been physically injured, including during the recent shooting.

The business reopened its doors on Oct. 2, with an SPS vehicle and mobile CCTV station positioned outside at the time.

SPS spokesperson Ian MacDonald told 1130 NewsRadio that police have been in ongoing discussions with the owners about how to handle the violence, including the potential of closing the café for good.

“I don’t believe it’s an easy decision on the part of ownership, whether to close the business… And I hate to say it, but obviously [Thursday]’s incident might influence that.”

Police believe the latest incident is also connected to the ongoing rise in extortion-related crimes south of the Fraser. So far this year, there have been 65 extortion-related incidents, 35 of which involved shootings.

MacDonald says the SPS increased patrols around the café back in July.

 “If we’re talking specifically about this business, video, regrettably, has been a part of that playbook,” said MacDonald.

He addressed international reports that the India-based Lawrence Bishnoi gang had taken responsibility for the shots fired, saying those remain “unverified claims.”

“If we can verify those claims, then obviously that becomes an investigative path. But short of that, they are just that. They are claims that have to be substantiated through police investigation.”

Last month, Surrey’s mayor announced that the city had set aside a $250,000 reward fund for information leading to convictions.

Meanwhile Conservatives are demanding aggressive action to fight foreign gangs following the third violent extortion attack at Kap’s Cafe and calling the incident an act of terrorism which it isn’t.

“This is an act of terrorism against the community. Families, business owners, and the media are under attack from foreign gangs perpetrating extortions,” said BC Conservative MLA Steve Kooner.

This latest shooting follows a wave of violent extortions targeting the South Asian community in British Columbia. So far, homes, businesses and the media outlets have been attacked.

BC Conservatives are seeking to deal with extortion related violence by foreign-based criminals with this:

1. Deportation of Foreign Criminals: Immediately deport non-citizens responsible for extortion and those affiliated with foreign gangs.

2. Mandatory Sentencing for Extortion: Establish clear sentencing requirements to communicate deterrence and enforce justice.

3. Extortion Bail Reform: Introduce reverse onus bail for extortion. Those charged with extortion must prove why they deserve bail.

4. Dedicated Coordinated Prosecutions: Ensure Federal Crown prosecutors (terrorist charges) and Provincial Crown prosecutors (extortion charges) work directly with police from the start of dedicated investigations.

5. Intelligence and Evidence-Gathering: More resources to strengthen surveillance, case-building and early disruption of gang activity.

6. International Cooperation: Negotiate memoranda of understanding with foreign countries to cooperate on extraditions and fighting foreign gangs.

Anyone with information about this incident, the identity of the suspect(s), or in possession of any dashcam or CCTV footage should contact the SPS non-emergency line at 604-599-0502 and quote file number 25-90856 (SP) or contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or www.solvecrime.ca.