Four Indian-origin men charged with extortion in Canada
The Peel police have charged these youths with using violence to extort money from South Asian businesses in Brampton and Mississauga.
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A Peel police statement on Thursday said the group, comprising four men and one woman, was recently arrested and later released with court-imposed conditions. (Representational image)Investigators from the Peel Regional Police Extortion Investigative Task Force (EITF) have charged five suspects, including four Indian-origin men, and seized four firearms in connection with recent extortion incidents targeting South Asian businesses in Brampton and Mississauga.
A Peel police statement on Thursday said the group, comprising four men and one woman, was recently arrested and later released with court-imposed conditions.
Those charged include the following:
Bandhumaan Sekhon, 27, from British Columbia, arrested on August 19 for a January 2024 incident. He faces multiple charges, including conspiracy, unauthorised possession of a firearm, and possession of property obtained by crime.
Harmanjit Singh, 25, from Brampton, arrested on July 4 for a May 2024 incident, charged with extortion, assault with a weapon, and obstructing a peace officer.
Tejinder Tatla, 44, from Brampton, arrested on July 25 for threatening a business owner in June 2024. He faces extortion and unsafe storage charges, with three firearms seized during the investigation.
Dinesh Kumar, 24, from Hamilton, arrested on August 14 for a July 2024 incident, charged with extortion.
Rukhsar Achakzai, 21, from Brampton, arrested on July 30 for incidents dating back to September 2023, charged with extortion and mischief under $5,000.
All suspects were held for bail hearings at the Ontario Court of Justice in Brampton and have since been released under court-imposed conditions.
Peel police Chief Nishan Duraiappah said in a video statement that police noticed a “disturbing” trend of extortion in late 2023.
“These incidents deeply impacted victims and their families and were felt throughout our community and communities right across this country,” he said.
In response, police set up the task force. Since it was launched, Duraiappah said police have probed over 60 extortion-related investigations, resulting in 21 arrests and 154 criminal charges. These cases often involve threats, property damage, and firearm-related offences, with victims frequently targeted through social media platforms like WhatsApp and Facebook.
Duraiappah said police have also seized 20 firearms, several rounds of ammunition, several high capacity gun magazines, more than 11 kilograms of methamphetamines and more than $10,000 in proceeds of crime. He added that police have recovered six stolen vehicles.
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