A Canadian court sentenced a Winnipeg man to six years in prison for his role in a 2024 shooting and arson attack at Punjabi singer AP Dhillon’s British Columbia residence, with authorities confirming he acted on directions from India’s Lawrence Bishnoi gang.
Conviction and Sentencing
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) announced that 26-year-old Abjeet Kingra received two years for arson and six years for discharging a firearm into an occupied dwelling. The sentences will run concurrently, with Kingra expected to serve approximately four and a half years after credit for time served since his October 2024 arrest. The court imposed a lifetime firearms ban and DNA order.
Gang Connection Confirmed
The judge determined Kingra, an Indian resident of Ontario, was acting under direction of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang based in India. The court concluded the attack on Dhillon’s Vancouver Island home was not an isolated incident.
Bishnoi Gang Designated Terrorist Entity
The sentencing followed Canada’s recent classification of the Bishnoi Gang as a terrorist entity that “engages in murder, shootings and arson, and generates terror through extortion and intimidation.” The India-based organization has been linked to multiple violent crimes across Canada.
Second Suspect at Large
Canadian authorities issued an arrest warrant for Vikram Sharma, a second suspect who allegedly left Canada.
“The sentencing of Abjeet Kingra is the result of months of dedicated investigative work by our officers… While we are pleased to see accountability in this case, our work is not done. We remain committed to locating Vikram Sharma and bringing him before the courts,” stated Inspector Stephen Rose, acting officer in charge of West Shore RCMP, according to CBC.
Attack Details
On September 24, 2024, gunshots were fired at Dhillon’s Vancouver home, with two vehicles set ablaze on the property. Police arriving at the scene found both vehicles “fully engulfed” in flames and evidence of multiple gunshots hitting the house. One resident was evacuated safely, with no injuries reported.
Following the incident, the Bishnoi gang issued death threats to Dhillon via social media. Kingra was arrested approximately two months later in Ontario.
Dhillon, known for hits including ‘Brown Munde’, ‘Dil Nu’, and ‘Insane’, has gained international recognition for blending 80s-style synth-pop with Punjabi music.
