Calgary police have charged five Indian-origin men in a violent kidnapping and extortion case linked to a rising pattern of attacks targeting the South Asian community in Canada.
According to investigators, the incident unfolded on May 6 when four suspects allegedly entered an Edmonton man’s home, threatened him with a firearm, abducted him, and transported him to Calgary as part of a plot to extort his friend living in the Cityscape area.
Police say the kidnappers attempted to force the victim to lure his friend outside, but he refused and was assaulted. The targeted friend and his wife tried to escape, but the suspects allegedly pursued them and threatened them with a gun before the couple returned home and alerted authorities.
Two suspects were arrested soon afterwards. The others drove the victim back to Edmonton, and he was let go. The other two suspects were arrested later.
Taranveer Singh, Daksh Gautam, Akashdeep Singh and Pardeep Singh face multiple charges, including kidnapping with a firearm. Gagandeep Singh remains wanted.
“This is a significant escalation in violence in the extortion incidents that we have seen in Calgary,” said Supt. Jeff Bell. Police reported 45 extortion-related cases since April 2025.
