1985 Air India blast accused Sikh leader killed: Shot near home in Canada; The car in which the attackers had come was also burnt.

Ripudaman Singh Malik, a Sikh leader accused of the 1985 Air India blasts, was shot dead in Vancouver, Canada late Thursday night. According to eyewitnesses, three gunshots were heard near his house. The firing was done from a very close range. He died on the spot. Ripudaman was accused of hijacking the Air India plane Kanishk and blasting it. However, he was acquitted in this case.

It is not yet known why Ripudaman was shot. Police suspect that the attackers had come in a car, then rode on a bike and went near Ripudaman and opened fire. Later they burnt the car to destroy the evidence. Footage of a burning car has surfaced. This car was found burning just a short distance from the place of the murder. Ripudaman's family members said, 'When he was going home from the office in a car, he was attacked.'

Ripudaman was earlier a supporter of the Khalistan Movement

Ripudaman was earlier a supporter of the Khalistan Movement, but later his ideology changed. Till the last moment, he used to inspire the people of the Sikh community to stay away from the separatist leaders. In January this year, he praised PM Modi. Along with this, he thanked the Modi government for the steps taken for the Sikh community. It is claimed that Malik was killed for praising Modi.

Started his career as a cab driver Ripudaman went to Canada in 1972. He started his career as a cab driver. Later became a successful businessman. He was the president of Khalsa Credit Union (KCU), which had a net worth of over $110 million. Ripudaman was the President of the Satnam Education Society of Canada and ran the Khalsa School. Apart from the Canadian curriculum, Punjabi language and Sikh history are also taught in his school.

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