In a Canadian court, two men accused of killing former Air India bombing suspect Ripudaman Singh Malik have pleaded guilty to second-degree murder. The courthouse in New Westminster, British Columbia confirmed the pleas on Monday from Tanner Fox and Jose Lopez in the shooting death of Malik, who was acquitted in 2005 of the bombings that killed 331 people in 1985. Fox and Lopez, who were originally charged with first-degree murder, will next appear in court on Oct. 31 for sentencing. Malik’s family stated that they are grateful that Fox and Lopez were brought to justice, but they urge the two men to cooperate with police in bringing those who hired them to justice. Malik, 75, was shot dead in his vehicle outside his business in Surrey, British Columbia, on July 14, 2022. He was once a supporter of the separatist Khalistan movement in India. Malik and a co-defendant were found not guilty of murder and conspiracy in the 1985 Air India bombings, which were the worst act of mass murder in Canadian history. Police said that individuals waited in a vehicle for hours for Malik before the shooting. Malik’s son, Jaspreet Singh Malik, expressed that family members had never heard of Fox or Lopez, and he did not understand why anyone would kill his father. The Malik family called the killing an assassination without identifying who they believe to be involved. Tanner Fox and Jose Lopez were hired to commit this murder, according to the statement. Until those responsible for hiring and directing this assassination are brought to justice, the work remains incomplete. Royal Canadian Mounted Commissioner Mike Duheme recently announced the launch of a special unit to investigate cases linked to agents of the Indian government, including murders. Canada expelled six Indian diplomats identified as persons of interest in the cases, which involved allegations of extortion, coercion, and violence. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau previously mentioned credible intelligence linking India’s government to the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a temple leader shot in Surrey, British Columbia. Four men have been charged in that murder. Police allege that diplomats used their positions to collect information on Canadians within the Khalistan movement, passing it on to criminal gangs who targeted individuals directly. India has denied these allegations. Court documents reveal that both Fox and Lopez have previous criminal records.
