Winnipeg man connected to Bishnoi gang sentenced after attacking Punjabi popstar AP Dhillon’s Vancouver Island home

A 26-year-old man has been sentenced to six years in jail after shooting at the Vancouver Island home of Punjabi megastar AP Dhillon last year.

The singer’s house in Colwood, west of Victoria, was targeted with dozens of bullets in the early hours of Sept. 2, 2024. Two vehicles were also set on fire outside the home.

“I’m safe. My people are safe. Thank you to everyone who reached out,” said Dhillon on social media shortly after the residence was evacuated and flames extinguished.

Nearly two months later, Abjeet Kingra of Winnipeg was arrested in Ontario. Last week, Kingra was convicted in a B.C. court for arson damaging property, and intentionally discharging a firearm with reckless or intentional disregard for the safety of another person.

“In delivering the sentence, the judge acknowledged that Mr. Kingra’s involvement was not isolated, noting his connection to the Lawrence Bishnoi crime group in India and that he was acting on their instructions to commit targeted criminal acts in Canada,” said a West Shore RCMP statement Wednesday.

Days after the sentencing, the federal government of Canada listed the Bishnoi gang as a terrorist entity. B.C. Premier David Eby praised the designation, saying it will help police seize the assets of the gang, which has been linked to a series of extortion threats and crimes affecting the province’s South Asian community.

Kingra received sentences of two and six years, which he will serve concurrently, minus time served, amounting to another 4.5 years in jail. The court also imposed a lifetime firearms prohibition.

Police have identified a second suspect, wanted for the same two crimes.

The West Shore RCMP says it is working with its partners to apprehend a 24-year-old who had been living in Winnipeg, but is believed to be in India.

—With files from Srushti Gangdev