An independent commission probing alleged foreign interference in Canada asked the Trudeau government on Wednesday to share information about possible meddling in elections by India, a development that could aggravate already-tense Ottawa-New Delhi relations.

The commission was set up by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government in September to conduct a public inquiry into foreign meddling in Canadian affairs after reports of alleged Chinese attempts to influence elections and mounting pressure for an inquiry. Beijing has repeatedly denied any interference.

The commission said in a statement on Wednesday that it had requested the Canadian government to provide documents “relating to alleged interference by India related to the 2019 and 2021 elections.”

“The commission will also examine the flow of information within the federal government in relation to these issues, evaluate the actions taken in response, assess the federal government’s capacity to detect, deter, and counter foreign interference, and make recommendations on these issues,” it said.

The commission, led by Quebec Judge Marie-Josee Hogue, is charged with conducting an independent public inquiry into allegations of attempted foreign interference in Canadian affairs by China, Russia and others. It is expected to complete an interim report by May 3 and deliver its final report by the end of this year.

Diplomatic relations between India and Canada have frayed in recent months over Canada’s allegations linking Indian agents to the murder of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia last year. India has rejected that allegation. Canadian authorities have yet to charge anyone with the killing.

The Indian High Commission in Ottawa did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Wednesday.

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

Two days after Assam Police registered a case against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and his associates for a clash between party workers and cops during Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, the case has been transferred to the specialised Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

Assam police chief GP Singh has said in a post on X that the case has been transferred to the CID for a “thorough and in-depth investigation through a SIT”. Mr Gandhi and other Congress leaders have been charged under nine sections of the Indian Penal Code, including those related to rioting, unlawful assembly and criminal conspiracy.

Congress workers part of the Rahul Gandhi-led Yatra clashed with Assam cops this Tuesday near the Guwahati city limits. The state BJP government had barred the yatra from moving on key Guwahati roads, citing the possibility of traffic jams. Declaring the grounds of denying permission frivolous, Congress workers tried to enter the city.

A huge contingent of cops had been posted at the city borders to stop them. About 5,000 Congress workers clashed with them, leading to chaotic scenes at the city limits. Mr Chief Minister Himanta Sarma alleged that Congress’s “naxalite tactics” led to a massive traffic jam.

The swift transfer of the case to the CID comes amid a heated exchange between Mr Gandhi and Mr Sarma.

Congress leaders have alleged that the Chief Minister, who was earlier with the Congress, was creating one hurdle after another in the yatra. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, flagging incidents of breach in Mr Gandhi’s security ever since his yatra entered Assam.

In his public addresses in Assam, Mr Gandhi has slammed Mr Sarma for being the country’s most corrupt Chief Minister. He has also said that the Assam Chief Minister is remote-controlled by the centre from Delhi. Mr Gandhi has dared the Assam Chief Minister to register more case against him and said he is not scared. 

Mr Sarma, on the other hand, has accused the Congress MP of instigating people in the state. He has alleged that the Congress was trying to destablise Assam. “We will arrest him (Rahul) after the Lok Sabha election. If we arrest him before, it will become politicised. Now the case has been registered, SIT will investigate, and we have evidence. A big incident could have happened in Guwahati after he instigated to break barricades. We don’t want to do politics before the Lok Sabha election because we are going to win this election,” he said.

Today is the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra’s last day in Assam, after which it will enter West Bengal.  

Kriti Sanon and Shahid Kapoor are currently busy with the promotions of their upcoming romantic comedy Teri Baaton Main Aisa Uljha Jiya.

On Tuesday, the duo were seen at the Mumbai airport, taking a flight to Jaipur for the launch of the film’s second song Akhiyaan Gulaab.

Last night, Shahid and Kriti were snapped at the airport as they returned back to the city. The duo were dressed in casual attires with Kriti wearing a red top and black jeans while Shahid wore a light grey sweatshirt and pants.

Check out the pictures here: