Harjeet Singh Dhadda, a 51-year-old insurance broker, was shot and killed earlier this week in a parking lot in Mississauga, Ontario, according to a report from MSN.
Peel Regional Police reported that Dhadda died in hospital after sustaining multiple gunshot wounds. Authorities are treating the shooting as a targeted attack.
Dhadda’s family said they had reported several threats against him and requested police protection, which they say was not provided.
Dhadda immigrated to Canada in 1997 and worked as an insurance broker for more than 25 years. His daughter, Gurlin Dhadda, described him as a dedicated professional who contributed to his community. Some reports also linked him to the trucking services industry.
Rohit Gadara, associated with Lawrence Bishnoi, claimed responsibility for the shooting. Gadara said Dhadda had been warned a year earlier but allegedly assisted Arsh Dalla, leader of the Khalistan Tiger Force, in securing bail.
The family denies any criminal involvement. Dhadda’s son, Tanveer Dhadda, said his father was not involved in criminal activity and described the attackers as armed with illegal weapons acting without regard for the law.
In a statement, Gurlin Dhadda expressed concern over rising violence against business owners and questioned authorities’ efforts to address such threats.
“Our community is grieving, but we are also outraged,” Dhadda said. “We ask: What is the government doing about rising extortion and targeted violence? Why are innocent people left defenceless while the threats grow louder? When the authorities fail to protect us, what options do we have?”
Peel Regional Police said they are aware of “unverified information currently circulating in the media” but did not confirm whether they had received prior reports of threats against Dhadda.
Peel Police Chief Nishan Duraiappah noted an increase in extortion attempts targeting South Asian business owners in late 2023, leading to the formation of a task force to investigate these cases.
The investigation into Dhadda’s death is ongoing.
