24 April 2025 : Canadian law enforcement has released photographs of two persons outside a historic gurdwara in Vancouver at the time it was desecrated with graffiti in the early hours of Saturday, as it sought the public’s assistance in identifying them to advance their investigation.
The Khalsa Diwan Society’s (KDS) Ross Street Gurdwara was spray-painted with pro-Khalistan and anti-India graffiti in the early hours of Saturday. The gurdwara’s management subsequently issued a statement accusing separatist pro-Khalistan elements of being behind the vandalism.
Vancouver Police Department (VPD) also released images of a vehicle that was at the location at the time of the desecration. All the images are grabs from CCTV footage.
“We believe these people may have information about this crime and what the motivation was,” VPD Sergeant Steve Addison said.
He added, “We ask anyone who recognises the people in these pictures, or the vehicle, to come forward and speak with our investigators.”
VPD launched a criminal investigation into the incident on April 19 and officers from its Major Crime Section, who have been collecting and analysing evidence from the crime scene and surrounding neighbourhood, have obtained images of a white pickup and two people who were in the area at the time.
Investigators believe the truck drove through the area around the time of the offence, between approximately 4 and 4:30 am on April 19. Two people then walked near the front entrance of the gurdwara. One person was wearing a yellow cap, yellow jacket and black pants. The other was wearing a grey hoodie with black pants.
In a statement issued after the desecration, KDS said, “A small group of Sikh separatists, advocating for Khalistan, defaced our sacred walls with divisive slogans like ‘Khalistan Zindabad’.”
Summary: Vancouver police release photos of suspects who defaced a gurdwara with pro-Khalistan graffiti. Public help sought as investigations into the hate crime continue.