A Surrey man allegedly shot by Punjabi media personality Maninder Gill outside a Sikh temple has won a default judgment on defamation charges against Mr. Gill's radio station and some of its staff.
Harjit Atwal and two others received the ruling in B.C. Supreme Court after Radio India failed to respond within the time limit to the defamation claim. The Punjabi-language radio station and some staff members were ordered to pay damages that have yet to be assessed.
However, Mr. Gill and Mr. Atwal indicated in interviews Thursday they believed the ruling would have little impact on a bitter split within the Indo-Canadian community. Both men said they fear for their safety as they wait for the outcome of further legal actions.
The default judgment in the defamation lawsuit "is not a big issue for us," Mr. Gill said. He said his lawyer would be in court Monday to apply to have it overturned.
Mr. Gill said he has been a target for those who have different views about Khalistan, a part of India that some would like to see as a new homeland for Sikhs. Radio India journalists came under attack after reporting wrongdoings of some who support Khalistan, he added. "I've lived in this country for 32 years but, with what I am facing now, I feel like my life is in danger," Mr. Gill said.
Mr. Atwal, who said he is slowing healing from his gunshot wounds, also said he feels unsafe. "I worry about my safety," he said, adding that he did not want to comment on the legal cases.
Tensions flared up in May following reports on Radio India that Mr. Atwal, Jaspal Atwal and Harkirat Kular considered to be defamatory. In early August, the three men filed a defamation lawsuit against Radio India.
Weeks later, Mr. Atwal was shot in the leg outside the Guru Nanak Sikh Temple in Surrey while attending a wedding. Mr. Gill was charged with unauthorized possession of a firearm, pointing a firearm, two counts of discharging a firearm with intent and possession of a weapon for dangerous purpose. His case is scheduled to be in court next Friday [Nov. 19]/note>.
The violence continued into September. Police were called to Mr. Gill's house in mid-September following a drive-by shooting where at least 10 shots were fired. No one was injured. So far no arrests have been made. On the following day, a talk-show host at Radio India, Gurpreet Singh, received a death threat. The letter writers accused Mr. Singh of being "a traitor" to Sikhs and threatened him and Mr. Gill.
Radio India, which broadcasts across western Canada and into Washington state from a transmitter in Blaine, Wash., claims an audience of up to 400,000. Its broadcast studios are in Surrey.