Two politicians in Punjab were allegedly confined at Ottawa airport and denied entry into Canada yesterday.
Aam Aadmi Party Members of Legislature Kultar Singh Sandhwan and Amarjit Singh Sandoa were put on an Air Canada flight to Delhi after being interrogated by immigration officials when they landed at Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport.
The two politicians arrived in Ottawa for a family event, but Canadian authorities were not satisfied with the purpose of their visit, Kamal Garg, AAP’s spokesperson in British Columbia, according to report.
While Sandhwan was able to satisfy Canadian authorities on the purpose of his visit, “Sandoa could not because he is not fluent in English,” Garg was quoted as saying by the Indian Express.
“What we have learned is that both were to stay with the sister of Kultar Singh Sandhwan in Ottawa and she was waiting to receive them. However, after hours of questioning, she was informed that both were being sent back,” the Indian publication quoted Sudeep Singla, the AAP spokesperson in Toronto, as saying.
Sandhwan is a Member of the Legislative Assembly from Kotkapura while Amarjit Singh Sandoa represents Ropar. Sandoa has been accused of molestation by a woman, and charges against him were framed in court on July 20, a day before he left for Canada. He has also alleged that he was attacked by sand mining mafia.
Nevertheless, it is unknown if the charges against him in India prompted the Canadian officials to negate his entry into the country.
According to a media report, Sandhwan is not facing any criminal case.
The report cited a senior AAP leader as saying that one of the MLAs may have mentioned something about political meetings to Canadian authorities.
AAP leaders in Punjab have earlier been accused of supporting separatist elements based in North America. Senior party leader Sukhpal Singh Khaira created a controversy last month when he was reported as saying that he supported the call for Punjab Referendum 2020 made by some members of the Non-Resident Indian Sikh community. The AAP distanced itself from Khaira’s remarks, and the latter too issued a clarification later.
By Sowmya Sangam
