Archive · 25 Dec 2025
Punjabi Man Sentenced for Extortion in Canada
A young man named Parminder Singh was sent to prison for 7.5 years in Canada.
He was part of a group that was extorting money from people who build homes in the South Asian community.
They would threaten these people and even set fire to their houses if they didn't pay up.
Parminder admitted to shooting at a homebuilder's house and pointing a gun at a police officer.
The police are still investigating and have warned that similar crimes might happen again next year.
The group was led by someone named Maninder Singh Dhaliwal, who is currently in the United Arab Emirates.
The police are trying to bring him back to Canada to face charges.
Parminder Singh, a 22-year-old Indian-origin man, was sentenced to 7.5 years in prison for his role in an organized extortion and arson racket in Edmonton, Canada.
The gang targeted South Asian homebuilders, demanding protection money and resorting to violence, including drive-by shootings and arson, if payments were not made.
Singh pleaded guilty to extortion, discharging a firearm at a residence, and pointing a firearm at a police officer.
The investigation, known as Project Gaslight, has led to the charging of seven individuals, mostly of Punjabi descent and in their late teens or early twenties.
The police believe the operation was directed from abroad by Maninder Singh Dhaliwal, who was arrested in the United Arab Emirates and is awaiting extradition.
- Who
- Parminder Singh, a 22-year-old Indian-origin man
- What
- Sentenced to 7.5 years in prison for extortion and related crimes
- When
- Sentencing is part of an investigation into crimes committed between October 2023 and July 2024
- Where
- Edmonton, Canada
- Why
- For his role in an organized extortion and arson racket targeting South Asian homebuilders
- Name
- Parminder Singh
- Age
- 22
- Sentence
- 7.5 years
- Crimes
- Extortion, discharging a firearm, pointing a firearm at a police officer
- Project
- Project Gaslight
- Targeted Community
- South Asian homebuilders
- Number of Incidents
- 40
- Estimated Damage
- Tens of millions of dollars