WSO welcomes Operation Hard Ball arrests, says questions remain about alleged role of Indian authorities

The World Sikh Organization of Canada (WSO) has welcomed Operation Hard Ball, a joint law enforcement initiative by authorities in the United States, Canada and Europe targeting the Lawrence Bishnoi network and other India-based organized crime groups.

In a statement, WSO President Danish Singh said the arrests made through the operation represent an important step but argued that questions remain about how Lawrence Bishnoi was allegedly able to operate an international criminal network while in custody in India. Singh also called for scrutiny of whether any Indian officials played a role in facilitating those activities.

The organization said accountability should extend beyond those accused of committing crimes to include anyone who may have enabled or assisted the network. The statement did not provide new evidence to support those claims.

RCMP Deputy Commissioner Lisa Moreland, however, said investigators have found no evidence that Indian government officials were involved in the offences announced as part of the latest phase of Operation Hard Ball. According to the RCMP, the investigation has not identified any link between Indian officials and the crimes outlined in the operation.