Chicago – November 24, 2024
The Canadian government has decided to use a “direct indictment” against four Indian nationals accused of killing Khalistani separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar. This decision means the case will skip pre-trial proceedings in the Surrey Provincial Court and move straight to the Supreme Court, according to a spokesperson for the BC Prosecution Service.
A direct indictment allows a case to proceed directly to trial without a preliminary hearing. This step bypasses a stage where the accused’s defense lawyers could question prosecution witnesses and learn the details of the case before the trial.
Under Canada’s Criminal Code, direct indictments are used rarely and only in special situations. They reflect the Attorney General’s duty to ensure important cases go to trial. Such measures are typically taken in cases of public interest, like when there are concerns for the safety of witnesses, their families, or informants.
By invoking this process, authorities aim to expedite the trial while addressing concerns about security and the public’s interest in justice being served.
