Three individuals are currently facing legal charges in relation to two extortion-driven shootings that took place at the residence of a former Cricket Canada board member in Calgary, as per information obtained by the investigative program, the fifth estate. One of the suspects is still evading authorities.
The incidents occurred in a northeastern Calgary neighborhood in late February and early March, compelling the board member to temporarily relocate with his family due to safety concerns. The unnamed official expressed feelings of fear and questioned the safety of Canada following the traumatic events.
The former Cricket Canada board member resigned from his position on the morning of the second shooting. Video footage exclusively obtained by the fifth estate captured the initial shooting, depicting a white sedan passing by the residence, reversing, slowing down at the driveway, and then firing multiple shots at the house.
Before the second shooting, the former official received numerous phone calls and disappearing text messages, with the caller demanding $150,000 during two answered calls. The threats and shootings are believed to be connected to the individual’s work at Cricket Canada, particularly his involvement in contractual and litigation matters for the organization.
The former official clarified that the threats stem from his participation in a deal between Cricket Canada and an external business group aiming to host cricket tournaments sanctioned by the sport’s governing body. The threats insinuated that he had received kickbacks from the deal, whereas he claims the discussions were related to potential event management fees and denies ever receiving illicit funds.
The group claiming responsibility for the shootings identified themselves as “Akash Harike” during a phone call with the former board member. This name corresponds to an Instagram group, named Akash Harike 47 Group, which uploaded videos of the shootings at the board member’s residence. The videos, posted shortly after the shootings, contained threatening messages referencing Cricket Canada.
Calgary Police Service acknowledged the posts made by the Akash Harike group and affirmed ongoing investigations into the incidents. The arrests of two individuals, Jaskaran Singh and Karanbir Singh, were made in connection to the shootings, with a third suspect, Germanjeet Singh, still at large.
The former Cricket Canada official expressed relief at the arrests but continues to harbor concerns for his family’s safety, emphasizing the impact of such criminal acts on the sport and the community.