Indo-Canadian in country’s top 25 most wanted list arrested

Amarjit Singh Rai was arrested from a residence in the town in the Metro Vancouver region of the province of British Columbia

Canadian law enforcement has arrested an Indo-Canadian, considered among the country’s top 25 most wanted fugitives, the Surrey detachment of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) said in a statement on Tuesday.

The British Columbia Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) headquarters, also known as "E" Division, in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada. (REUTERS/FILE)

Amarjit Singh Rai was arrested from a residence in the town in the Metro Vancouver region of the province of British Columbia. He was wanted in relation to 17 charges stemming from an investigation that began in August 2019.

The Surrey RCMP said that through investigation, they were able to confirm he was inside a residence and “was taken into police custody without incident”.

He was transported to Surrey RCMP cells and will remain in custody awaiting his next court appearance.

Rai had earlier been arrested in April 2021 by Surrey RCMP Strike Force Target Team (SFTT) for an outstanding warrant pertaining to the August 2019 investigation. He was released by the courts on May 7, 2021 with conditions.

A release in January last year stated that it was “alleged that Amardip Singh Rai failed to appear for a subsequent court date and therefore a warrant was issued for his arrest”.

He faced multiple charges including those related to sexual assault, confining a person without lawful authority, two counts of assault with a weapon, three counts of possession of a controlled substance and nine firearms charges.

While seeking the public’s assistance in locating him, Rai was described as a 42-year-old male, 5’11, slim built with brown eyes, black hair and often sporting facial hair. He has several tattoos including that of a tiger on his chest. However, members of the public were also cautioned not to approach him and to call police immediately.

Rai was featured on the Canada-wide Bolo Program’s Top 25 Wanted across the country. The programme launches amplification campaigns to seek the public’s cooperation in finding fugitives.