Prominent Punjabi-Canadian Businessman Darshan Singh Sahsi Shot Dead in British Columbia

A prominent Indian-origin businessman and community leader, Darshan Singh Sahsi, has been shot dead outside his home in Abbotsford, British Columbia, sending shockwaves through the Punjabi diaspora across Canada and India.

The 68-year-old, originally from Rajgarh village near Doraha in Ludhiana, Punjab, was found fatally wounded near his vehicle around 9:20 a.m. (local time) on Monday. Police in Abbotsford have confirmed that the incident was a targeted attack, though no arrests have been made so far.

Sahsi, a respected figure in both business and cultural circles, built a successful textile recycling enterprise in Canada and maintained strong ties with Punjab through philanthropic and literary initiatives. Community members described him as “a bridge between Punjab and the global Punjabi diaspora.”

“He embodied the values that define the Punjabi spirit—hard work, generosity, and cultural pride,” said Gurbhajan Singh Gill, former president of the Punjabi Sahit Akademi, Ludhiana. “His death is a personal and collective loss for Punjabis at home and abroad.”

Canadian authorities have launched a full-scale investigation, and early reports suggest that the shooter may have been waiting near Sahsi’s residence prior to the attack. Police have urged residents to come forward with any information or surveillance footage that could aid the probe.

In Ludhiana, family members are coordinating with Indian consular officials in Vancouver to repatriate Sahsi’s remains for last rites in his hometown. Across Canada, several Punjabi community organizations have called for a swift and transparent investigation into the killing.

Sahsi’s death has reignited discussions among the diaspora about rising concerns over community safety, targeted violence, and the vulnerability of immigrant entrepreneurs who serve as cultural connectors between their homeland and adopted countries.