Jalandhar: Canadian authorities have released dramatic CCTV footage of an arson attack targeting the home of a prominent Punjabi social media influencer, months before she was stabbed to death in what community leaders fear was a targeted assassination.The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and Windsor Police Service seek to identify a suspect seen dousing the porch of 45-year-old Nancy Grewal’s house with flammable liquid in Nov. Investigators believe the fire may be linked to the fatal stabbing of Grewal, a personal support worker known for her provocative commentary on Sikh internal politics and separatist movements.Grewal was ambushed and killed on March 3 outside a client’s home in LaSalle, Ontario, in an attack her family describes as a pre-meditated hit.The Forensic EvidenceThe newly released surveillance video shows a van as it stops outside the victim’s Windsor property. A male suspect is seen exiting the vehicle with a canister, pouring liquid onto the entrance, and fleeing as the porch is engulfed in flames. The police appeal marks a significant escalation in the homicide investigation, as detectives attempt to bridge the gap between the attempted arson in late 2024 and the fatal attack earlier this month.A History of ConfrontationNancy Grewal had built a significant online following, often using “acrimonious language” to challenge powerful religious and political figures within the Punjabi diaspora. Her recent digital footprint included anti-Khalistan advocacy (strong vocal opposition to the Sikh separatist movement), religious critiques (recent videos targeting Baba Gurinder Singh Dhillon, head of the Radha Soami Satsang Beas, following his meeting with jailed Akali leader Bikram Singh Majithia), and institutional challenges (public criticism of the Akal Takht jathedar, the highest temporal authority in Sikhism).Conflicting Claims and RetractionsIn the immediate aftermath of the murder, Grewal’s mother, Shinderpal Kaur, alleged that three specific individuals were involved. However, she has since retracted those statements, telling authorities the names were uttered in a state of “shock and sadness”. The vacuum of information has led to a war of words between rival factions. Hindu advocacy groups have pointed the finger at Khalistani extremists, citing Grewal’s vocal opposition to their cause, while Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) general counsel Gurpatwant Singh Pannun has dismissed the allegations as baseless, rubbishing any link between the separatist movement and the killing.Investigation OngoingDespite the release of the footage, Ontario police have yet to name a formal suspect or establish a definitive motive. The case has sent ripples through the Canadian-Punjabi community, highlighting the increasing volatility surrounding overseas political activism. Authorities have urged anyone with information regarding the vehicle or the suspect in the arson video to contact the Windsor Police or Ontario Provincial Police. MSID:: 129610826 413 |
