Atwal in dock for issuing threats to radio jockey
TORONTO: Jaspal Atwal, the man at the centre of a controversy that crippled Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s visit to India in February, was briefly arrested by Canadian police last month for allegedly uttering threats against another person.
Atwal was taken into custody last month by the Surrey unit of the police and held overnight, but released after appearing before a judge. The charges relates to “one count of uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm”, according to a Toronto Sun report.
He is believed to have retained Surrey-based criminal lawyer Marvin Stern to represent him.
The person who filed the complaint against Atwal is believed to be a local radio host, according to a source. That person is also believed to have complained to police about Atwal nearly eight months ago, prior to the ruckus created by Atwal’s presence at an official event for Trudeau in Mumbai.
Atwal, who was convicted of an attempt to assassinate a visiting minister from Punjab in the mid-1980s, was photographed at the Mumbai event with the Trudeau’s wife Sophie Gregoire Trudeau and cabinet ministers Navdeep Bains, Harjit Sajjan and Amarjeet Sohi.
He was also invited to a reception at the Canadian high commissioner’s residence in New Delhi but that was rescinded after Canadian media reported on his presence at Mumbai do.
Subsequently, Canada’s National Security Advisor Daniel Jean briefed select members of the media, giving rise to the theory that “rogue elements” in the Indian establishment had planted Atwal in India to sabotage Trudeau’s trip. The allegation, rubbished by India, continues to hamper bilateral ties.