Life threat to Kapil? Comedian’s security beefed up after café firing

Mumbai: Security outside comedian and actor Kapil Sharma’s residence in Mumbai has been increased following a shooting incident at his café in Canada, allegedly linked to the banned terror group Babbar Khalsa.

Mumbai Police personnel were spotted stationed outside Sharma’s Oshiwara residence on Friday amid concerns over his safety. According to sources, the actor has yet to decide whether he will attend the upcoming shoot of his Netflix show, The Great Indian Kapil Show, scheduled at Filmcity.

The incident that sparked the security alert took place in the early hours of Thursday at Kap’s Cafe in Surrey, British Columbia. Around 2:00 a.m. local time, multiple gunshots were fired at the café, with no injuries reported. Harjit Singh, an alleged operative of the proscribed Babbar Khalsa group, later claimed responsibility for the attack. He stated that the shooting was retaliation for comments made during one of Kapil Sharma’s past television shows, allegedly mocking the attire of Nihang Sikhs.

The brazen act of violence, involving nine rounds fired at the café just days after its inauguration, has prompted fears for the celebrity’s safety in India as well. While Sharma has not issued a public statement yet, police sources say they are not taking any chances, especially given the international dimension of the threat.

AP Dhillon's residence was also attacked earlier

This is not the first time a high-profile Indian personality based in Canada has been targeted. Similar incidents have been reported in recent years, including a shooting outside the Vancouver residence of Punjabi artist A P Dhillon in September, and an attack on singer Gippy Grewal’s home, also in Vancouver, for which jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi later claimed responsibility.

The latest attack has once again spotlighted the increasing activities of Khalistani extremist elements in Canada. Tensions between such groups and members of the Indian diaspora have intensified over the past few years, leading to concerns about cross-border threats.

IANS inputs