A man who entered Canada on a work permit and later became the alleged mastermind of a violent extortion ring targeting the South Asian business community has been released on bail, raising questions about judicial decisions and border security.
From Work Permit to Alleged Crime Boss
Bandhumaan Sekhon, 28, arrived in Canada from India in 2023 under the authority of a work permit. According to court documents and police statements, his time in the country quickly diverged from lawful employment. Social media posts allegedly show Sekhon posing with firearms and large sums of cash, images that would later become part of the evidence against him.
His legal troubles began in earnest in January 2024, when he was arrested in connection with a gun and extortion investigation spanning Brampton and Mississauga in Ontario's Peel Region. At that time, he faced a series of charges including conspiracy to commit an indictable offence, multiple counts of unauthorized firearm possession, and possession of property obtained by crime.
Bail, Ankle Monitor, and a Flight West
Following his initial arrest, Sekhon was released from custody with court-imposed conditions. However, authorities allege he did not remain compliant for long. It is claimed that Sekhon cut off his court-ordered ankle monitor and traveled to British Columbia, where he is accused of deepening his involvement in organized extortion.
In August 2024, he was arrested again in British Columbia. Police allege that in B.C., Sekhon rose to the top of an extortion network linked to notorious gangster Goldy Dhillon. The group is suspected of targeting businesses within the South Asian community, including a Surrey cafe owned by Indian comedian Kapil Sharma. That establishment, Kap’s Cafe, was reportedly hit by drive-by shootings on multiple occasions, including an incident on October 16, 2024.
International Manhunt and Judicial Scrutiny
As police in British Columbia intensified a crackdown on extortion rackets, Sekhon allegedly fled the country for India. His time abroad was short-lived. He was subsequently detained by authorities in Delhi, who identified him as the "prime conspirator" in the plot, responsible for planning and logistical support.
The decision by a Peel Region court to grant Sekhon bail has attracted significant criticism. Commentators and some media outlets have pointed to his non-citizen status as a flight risk and the serious nature of the allegations. The case has become a focal point in broader debates about Canada's justice system, immigration enforcement, and the challenges of prosecuting cross-border criminal networks.
Officials note that extortion-linked violence remains a pressing issue, with 90 active investigations ongoing in British Columbia alone and dozens of reported shootings in both B.C. and the Peel Region of Ontario connected to such schemes.
The saga of Bandhumaan Sekhon, from his entry on a work permit to his alleged role in a transnational extortion ring and his release on bail, continues to unfold, leaving law enforcement and community members grappling with its implications.
