A deportation hearing involving an alleged member of the Bishnoi extortion network was abruptly postponed after federal authorities reported they could not determine the suspect’s location at the time proceedings were scheduled to begin.
Officials from the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada said they were unable to proceed with the case of Indian citizen Abjeet Kingra after learning they had lost track of his whereabouts shortly before the hearing started. The Canada Border Services Agency, which is seeking his removal from the country, also indicated it did not have updated information about where he was being held at that moment.
The presiding board member overseeing the hearing stated that without confirmation of the suspect’s location, the process could not continue and the session was suspended. However, a British Columbia court later confirmed that Kingra remained in custody while awaiting trial on criminal charges related to a shooting and an arson incident at a residence in Surrey.
Authorities have identified the Bishnoi gang as being linked to a series of extortion-related threats and violent incidents affecting several Canadian cities with significant South Asian populations. The group has been associated with shootings, arson attacks, and intimidation targeting businesses, community members, and cultural figures across multiple provinces.
Kingra’s case is among the first deportation proceedings involving an alleged member of the group as enforcement agencies increase efforts to respond to extortion activity reported in British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario. At the time of the scheduled hearing, officials believed he was being held at a correctional facility in Abbotsford, but later learned he had been transferred elsewhere without immediate confirmation of his new location.
Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke said residents would expect clarity and coordination from authorities when dealing with individuals accused of serious organized criminal activity. She noted that ongoing extortion incidents have created anxiety for families and business owners in the community and emphasized the importance of a firm and coordinated response from all levels of government. Officials indicated the deportation proceedings are expected to resume once the suspect’s location is formally confirmed.
