December 24, 2025
RED FM News Desk
A 22-year-old man identified as Parminder Singh has been sentenced to seven and a half years in prison for his pivotal role in a violent extortion racket targeting South Asian business owners in Edmonton.
Singh pleaded guilty to four major charges, including extortion, acting in association with a criminal organization, discharging a firearm at a residence, and pointing a firearm at a police officer.
The court heard a chilling account of Singh’s involvement, where he admitted to firing nine shots into the home of a local homebuilder on October 11, 2023. The shooting was a targeted attempt to coerce the victim into paying protection money. Evidence presented during the proceedings characterized Singh as a high-ranking member of the syndicate. Even while held at a remand center, he continued to issue directives to lower-level members, orchestrating further acts of extortion and arson.
The Edmonton Police Service’s investigation, dubbed ‘Project Gaslight,’ revealed the extensive reach of the syndicate’s operations. The group was responsible for setting fire to at least 12 properties under construction belonging to South Asian builders. Crown prosecutors emphasized that the group’s actions spread a wave of terror across the city, specifically victimizing the South Asian community and causing significant financial and psychological distress.
The syndicate has seen several high-profile developments over the past year. Its alleged leader, Maninder Dhaliwal, was arrested in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in 2024, and Canadian authorities are currently working on his extradition. Another key member, Harpreet Uppal, was fatally shot alongside his 11-year-old son in November 2023 in what police described as a targeted hit.
In delivering the sentence, the presiding judge remarked that such violent crimes “shake the entire community to its core.” After accounting for time already served in pre-trial custody, Parminder Singh is expected to serve approximately four additional years in prison. The sentencing is seen as a major step in the ongoing crackdown on organized extortion rings in Alberta.
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