Canadian police have released photographs of 15 men charged over a series of extortion investigations that allegedly targeted members of the city’s South Asian community.The Calgary Police Service said 16 people have been charged with a combined total of 56 offences. Authorities said only one of the accused remains in custody, while the others have been released on bail.Calgary police have published images of 15 men facing charges in a probe into alleged violent extortion targeting people in the city’s South Asian community.According to police, most of those charged are Indian nationals of Punjabi origin who were living in Canada on student or work permits. Investigators also said that none of the accused is Canadian citizens.The cases are linked to a broader investigation into alleged extortion schemes involving threats, intimidation and violence. Police have identified 49 extortion-related incidents, including 19 shootings, across the city.Investigators believe some suspects used aliases or false identities, complicating efforts to track their activities and connections.During a press conference, Superintendent Jeff Bell said the public release of the photographs is intended to help police gather information about the accused, their associates and any names they may have used.“These incidents are often co-ordinated and involve networks of individuals,” Bell said. He urged residents to share any information about where the accused spend time, who they associate with and other details that could assist investigators.Bell also raised concerns that most of the accused have been granted bail and are back in the community. He noted that decisions on bail are made by the courts after reviewing submissions from prosecutors and defence lawyers.Police allege criminal groups used shootings at homes and vehicles, along with other threats, to pressure victims into making payments. Investigators say the incidents form part of a pattern that has emerged in several Canadian cities with large South Asian populations.Authorities are continuing to seek information from the public, particularly from members of Calgary’s South Asian community, as the investigation moves forward.Among those charged are Ravjot Toor, 20; Germanjeet Singh, 22; Jaskaran Singh, 21; Karanbir Singh, 21; Amandeep Singh, 21; Anurag Sidhu, 21; Ishandeep Singh, 19; Amandeep Mallhi, 39; Sandeep Singh, 32; Daksh Gautam, 25; Akashdeep Singh, 19; Gagandeep Singh, 29; Pardeep Singh, 24; Taranveer Singh, 24; and Gurkaran Dhaliwal, 21.
