Indian Authorities Seek Extradition of Two Canadians in Connection with Fatal Border Crossing Incident

According to Chaitanya Mandlik, the deputy commissioner of police for Ahmedabad’s crime branch in Gujarat, Indian authorities have initiated the process of extraditing two Canadian residents, Fenil Patel and Bitta Singh, to face charges in India. The charges stem from an incident in southern Manitoba, where four members of the same family tragically froze to death while attempting to cross into the United States. Mandlik stated that authorities are seeking to interview Patel and Singh to gather additional information.

The Department of Justice spokesperson, Ian McLeod, stated that extradition requests are confidential communications between states and cannot be confirmed or denied until made public by the courts.

In January 2022, Canadian authorities discovered the bodies of Jagdish Patel (39), Vaishaliben Patel (37), their daughter Vihangi (11), and son Dharmik (3) near the United States border in Emerson, Manitoba. Investigators believe the deaths are linked to a human smuggling operation.

Earlier this year, Indian police arrested Dashrath Chaudhary, Yogesh Patel, and Bhavesh Patel, charging them with culpable homicide not amounting to murder, attempted culpable homicide, human trafficking, and criminal conspiracy, which carry potential life sentences. Mandlik mentioned that Fenil Patel and Bitta Singh would face similar charges.

Allegedly, Chaudhary, Yogesh Patel, and Bhavesh Patel facilitated the family’s entry into Canada on a tourist visa, with Fenil Patel and Singh taking over planning and logistical support to help them cross into the United States.

Mandlik stated that he and his team plan to visit Canada to conduct further investigations, pending the information they have requested from the RCMP. The information requested includes IP addresses related to the tourist visa application and details about Fenil Patel and Bitta Singh. Once they receive this information, supplemental charges will be filed, a process that may take until the end of the summer or early fall.

The RCMP in Manitoba declined to comment on the investigational steps being taken by other police agencies in different countries. However, they confirmed their continued collaboration with international law enforcement partners in the United States and abroad to advance the investigation into the Patel family’s deaths.