Indian-Origin Entrepreneur Darshan Singh Sahsi Shot Dead in Abbotsford Canada
Indian-origin businessman assassinated outside Canada home.
A prominent Indian-origin entrepreneur, Darshan Singh Sahsi, aged 68 and hailing from Rajgarh village near Doraha in Ludhiana, was fatally shot on Monday morning outside his residence in Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada. The president of Canam International—a global leader in clothing recycling—was ambushed as he prepared to drive to his office in Maple Ridge, succumbing instantly to multiple gunshot wounds in a targeted attack that has sent shockwaves through the Punjabi diaspora.
The incident unfolded at precisely 9:22 a.m. in the 31300 block of Ridgeview Drive, a quiet residential neighborhood near Surrey. According to the Abbotsford Police Department, the assailant was stationed in a parked vehicle nearby. As Sahsi entered his car, the gunman opened fire at close range before fleeing the scene in the waiting vehicle. First responders arrived promptly but were unable to revive the victim despite immediate medical intervention. As a precautionary measure, three nearby schools were placed under temporary shelter-in-place orders, though no students or staff were endangered.
Authorities have handed the case to the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT), with the Abbotsford Police Major Crime Unit leading initial inquiries. Sergeant Paul Walker confirmed that no arrests have been made and the probe remains in its preliminary phase. Investigators are exploring a potential link to prior extortion attempts, as sources indicate Sahsi had received ransom demands in recent months, which he reportedly disregarded. The motive—whether business-related rivalry, personal vendetta, or organized crime—remains under scrutiny, with forensic teams examining ballistic evidence and surveillance footage from the area.
Also Read: IED Blast in Saranda Forest Claims Life of 10-Year-Old Tribal Girl
Sahsi’s journey from Punjab to international success exemplifies immigrant resilience. Arriving in Canada in 1991, he began with modest labor before acquiring stakes in a struggling industrial unit. Under his leadership, Canam International evolved into a powerhouse recognized in over 40 countries for ethical textile recycling and sustainable supply chain practices. The company, operational since the early 1990s, has set benchmarks in environmental responsibility within the global second-hand clothing market.
Beyond business, Sahsi was a cultural ambassador and philanthropist. A dedicated patron of the Punjabi Sahit Akademi in Ludhiana since 2012, he funded initiatives to preserve and promote Punjabi literature, language, and heritage. His generosity extended to numerous community development programs in both Canada and India, earning him widespread admiration among Sikh and Punjabi communities worldwide.
In Ludhiana, grieving family members are liaising with Indian consular officials in Vancouver to facilitate the repatriation of Sahsi’s remains for traditional last rites in his ancestral village. The brazen daylight assassination has heightened concerns over targeted violence against South Asian business leaders in Canada, prompting calls for enhanced security measures. IHIT has appealed for public assistance, urging witnesses or anyone with dashcam footage to come forward. Updates will follow as the investigation progresses into this high-profile homicide.
Also Read: Chennai Student Feud Turns Violent as Country Bombs Used, 5 Arrested
