Man Given the Right to Remain in the UK Despite Being Accused of a Horrific Crime That Has Now Sparked Serious Concern
A 28-year-old Indian national accused of shooting two men outside a Sikh temple in Italy had been living in Britain after being given the right to remain in the UK.
Gurjant Singh is accused of being the gunman who shot dead Rajinder Singh, 47, and Gurmit Singh, 48, outside a gurdwara in Covo, a small town near Bergamo, in April. A third man was also injured during the shooting.
Italian investigators allege that Singh fired several shots before escaping from the scene in a car. The shooting happened in front of witnesses and was also captured on CCTV cameras. It took place just before Vaisakhi, an important celebration in the Sikh community.
After the shooting, Singh is alleged to have travelled to France before returning to his home in the West Midlands, where he lives with his wife.
Reports say Singh had been granted indefinite leave to remain in Britain three years ago. He had been working in the UK as a handyman and was legally allowed to live, work and study in the country, as well as claim benefits.
The killings in Italy are believed to have been linked to a dispute over control of the Mata Sahib Kaur Ji gurdwara. Rajinder Singh was reportedly a former president of the temple and had been involved in disagreements with another group over plans for the temple’s future leadership.
Rajinder Singh’s son previously told police that his father had been threatened with a gun near the gurdwara in November. A police report was reportedly made at the time.
Two other men were arrested in Italy the day after the shootings. However, investigators believed Singh was the person who carried out the shooting, leading an investigating judge at the Court of Bergamo to issue an international arrest warrant.
Singh was arrested in July by officers from the National Extradition Unit. He was stopped in his car on the M6 near Birmingham during the operation.
At his first extradition hearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, Singh said he would fight against being sent back to Italy. He reportedly told the court that he feared for his safety if he was returned.
He was kept in custody following his arrest but later agreed to be extradited to Italy last month.
About two weeks ago, Singh was escorted by Italian police on a flight from Heathrow to Rome, where he is due to face trial over the two deaths. He was then taken to Rebibbia prison in Rome.
The Home Office said it does not comment on individual cases.
A Home Office spokeswoman said the Government would use every available power to remove foreign criminals from the UK. The department also said more than 80,000 illegal migrants and foreign national offenders have been returned since the current Government came to office, representing a 52 per cent increase.
