Guns, swords and pepper spray: Bishnoi-linked extortionists attacked in apparent retaliation

Résumé détaillé

Documents obtained by CBC News reveal the existence of a previously unreported Bishnoi cell known as the Baweja group. Members have been tied to multiple shootings and extortion threats in Alberta and B.C.

On an afternoon in early October 2025, a van full of masked attackers pulled into the parking lot of a Calgary college and ambushed a group of young men caught napping in a white Mustang.

They pepper-sprayed one victim in the face. Police later found a baseball bat and sword at the scene.

The attackers even recorded the confrontation — sending a video to the parents of one victim, Kawanmeet Singh, to warn them about "what their son was doing and what behaviour he was engaging in."

According to documents obtained by CBC News, Singh was an alleged extortionist — leader of a previously unreported Bishnoi gang cell tied to multiple shootings, arsons and threats in Alberta and British Columbia.

The attack on Singh and his associates is detailed in a trove of new Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB) documents disclosed to CBC News through a series of federal Access to Information requests.

IRB transcripts reveal both the existence of Singh's organization — known as the Baweja group — as well as new information from an insider about the Canadian operations of the larger transnational gang Lawrence Bishnoi has led from an Indian jail cell since 2015.

The confidential informant told police the gangsters are essentially laughing at the Canadian justice system, knowing the harshest penalty they're likely to face is deportation and a free ticket back to India.

One of a series of images taken from the phone of an alleged extortionist by police. This image is part of a trove of Immigration and Refugee Board documents released to CBC News through an Access to Information request. (CBC News)

Taken together, the documents provide insight into the inner workings of the linked extortion cells moving weapons, vehicles and people across Canada — as well as violence erupting on the periphery of the extortion networks.

Début de l'article, extrait de CBC News. Pour lire la suite, ouvrez l'article chez le média.