Accused B.C. Extortionist Fled Canada on Expired Visa, Now in India

BREAKING: New reports confirm that Vikram Sharma, a man charged in two high-profile extortion cases in British Columbia, was living in Canada on an expired student visa when he allegedly committed his crimes. Authorities report that Sharma, 24, fled to India on October 9, 2024, just weeks after a violent attack involving gunfire at the home of Punjabi musician AP Dhillon.

Court documents reveal that Sharma’s student visa expired in April 2024, and he had been flagged by immigration officials weeks earlier for attempting to extend his stay using fraudulent documents. Crown prosecutor Jess Patterson stated, “At the time of the offence, Mr. Sharma was a foreign national in Canada with no status,” highlighting the severity of his actions as part of a broader pattern of criminal behavior linked to the notorious Lawrence Bishnoi gang.

The shocking incidents occurred in Surrey and on Vancouver Island, where Sharma and co-accused Abjeet Kingra allegedly torched Dhillon’s vehicles and fired shots into his home. The violent attack was reportedly orchestrated by the Bishnoi gang after Dhillon featured Bollywood star Salman Khan in a music video, inciting the gang’s ire. Prosecutors noted that Kingra even recorded the attack, which included him firing 14 rounds into Dhillon’s residence.

“The footage is almost cinematic in nature,”

Judge Lisa Mrozinski remarked during Kingra’s sentencing, emphasizing the shocking nature of the crime in a residential neighborhood.

Authorities confirmed that Sharma escaped Canada via Lester Pearson Airport in Toronto, evading capture after the attacks on Dhillon’s home and a separate arson incident targeting a Surrey resident. The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has launched investigations into multiple foreign nationals tied to a wave of extortion threats in the Lower Mainland, but specific details remain under wraps due to privacy legislation.

Kingra, who also entered Canada on a student visa, has been sentenced to six years in prison for his role in the extortion scheme. His defense attorney described Kingra as having “fallen in with the wrong crowd,” indicating a troubling shift in his life that led to the heinous acts. The case has drawn significant public attention, underscoring an urgent need for action against escalating gang-related violence and extortion in British Columbia.

The Canadian government has labeled the Bishnoi gang a terrorist entity, citing their history of violence and intimidation against specific communities. This latest development raises pressing questions about the safety of residents and the effectiveness of immigration enforcement in Canada.

As the situation unfolds, authorities continue to monitor potential threats linked to Sharma’s network and its ramifications for public safety. With the Bishnoi gang’s influence growing, the urgency for community vigilance has never been clearer.

Residents and officials alike are left to grapple with the implications of these events, as investigations continue and the search for Sharma remains ongoing. What happens next in this high-stakes case will be crucial in determining the future of public safety in British Columbia.

Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.