Indian-Origin Man on the Run After Arson at AP Dhillon’s BC Home

Court proceedings have revealed that Vikram Sharma, an Indian-origin man, fled Canada after being identified as one of the perpetrators who set fire to Punjabi singer AP Dhillon’s vehicles at his British Columbia residence. Prosecutors stated that Sharma, 23, was living illegally in Canada at the time of the attack, with his student visa having expired in April 2024. The arson took place in September 2024, months after his visa lapsed.

Court documents further revealed that Sharma had attempted to renew his visa using fraudulent documents, which were flagged by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). He was required to appear in person for verification, but the offence occurred before any resolution could take place.

Sharma acted alongside Abjeet Kingra, who was also involved in the attack. The two reportedly targeted Dhillon’s residence while the singer was away, with his roommate narrowly avoiding injury. Kingra, who moved to Canada in 2019 for studies, admitted in court that he fell into “the wrong crowd” while struggling to secure employment.

Kingra was apprehended two months after the incident while traveling to Toronto Airport, whereas Sharma had already left Canada. Kingra later pleaded guilty to the arson and is currently serving a six-year prison sentence. In a handwritten apology, Kingra expressed remorse for his actions, stating:

“I did a horrible and terrifying thing that could lead to harm, injure, or kill someone, which was never my intention. This is a big mistake that not only scared the victim and his family but the community too.”

Court filings also explained the motive behind the attack. The Bishnoi gang, responsible for orchestrating the crime, reportedly targeted Dhillon because of his collaboration with Bollywood actor Salman Khan in one of his music videos.

Sharma is believed to have returned to India, and Canadian authorities continue to seek his extradition as the investigation into the case remains ongoing. The incident has sparked concern within both the Punjabi music industry and the local community.