Karmvir Singh to remain in immigration detention after Federal Court overturns release order

Canada's Federal Court has overturned an Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB) decision that would have released Karmvir Singh, an alleged member of the Bishnoi gang, which is listed as a terrorist entity in Canada, and a suspect wanted in India in connection with a homicide case. Singh has been held in immigration detention since April 2.

According to the Federal Court decision, the IRB ruled on June 10 that Singh could be released under strict conditions, including house arrest, electronic monitoring and a $100,000 cash bond. The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) refused to accept the proposed bond after raising concerns about the source of the funds to be provided by Singh's sisters and brother-in-law.

The federal Minister of Public Safety sought judicial review of the IRB's release order. In a decision issued from Vancouver on Aug. 3, Justice Phuong Ngo found the board failed to properly assess Singh's risk of absconding and did not adequately examine the credibility of his proposed sureties or the source of the bond funds. The court set aside the release order, meaning Singh will remain in immigration detention.

Court records state Singh entered Canada illegally in 2025. He also faces allegations of involvement in the September 2024 shooting and arson at the Victoria-area home of Punjabi singer AP Dhillon. Those allegations have not been proven in court, and no findings of guilt have been made.