MISSISSAUGA — On May 4th, 55-year-old Harjeet Dhadda was shot and killed in broad daylight in a parking lot near Derry Road and Hurontario Street. He wasn’t a bystander. According to Peel police, he was targeted — and extortion may have been the motive.
The killing was bold. Public. Premeditated.
But for many in Peel’s South Asian business community, it wasn’t shocking. It was the tragic escalation of a wave of fear that’s been rising for months — with whispered threats, burnt vehicles, anonymous calls, and now, murder.
This is what extortion looks like in 2025. And it’s happening here.
🔍 A Crime Few Want to Talk About
Local politicians and community advocates say the numbers don’t reflect the scale — because most victims don’t report it. The threats are too personal. The fear too real.
One Brampton city councillor recently warned that these incidents are “happening every day.” Business owners are receiving threatening calls and WhatsApp messages. Cars are being burned in driveways. Security cameras are being smashed. The message is always the same: pay up, or something worse will happen.
This is crime by coercion — and it’s growing.
🚨 The Dhadda Case Wasn’t Isolated
Peel police haven’t released full details of the network behind the killing of Harjeet Dhadda, but officials have linked the incident to a larger pattern of extortion calls and property damage. In recent months, there have been multiple reports of South Asian-owned trucking, construction, and retail businesses being targeted.
And it’s not just Peel.
In British Columbia, extortion rings have been tied to shootings, firebombings, and arson attacks — often targeting members of the Indo-Canadian community. There are growing concerns that similar operations are embedding themselves in Ontario.
🧭 What Leaders Should Be Talking About
This isn’t just about arrests — it’s about visibility, protection, and prevention. Here’s what needs to happen:
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Launch a dedicated Extortion Crimes Unit within Peel and York police services, with cross-border intel sharing.
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Create safe reporting channels for extortion victims who fear retaliation — including anonymous hotlines and multilingual services.
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Fund protection and relocation services for at-risk families who come forward.
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Host public forums and community safety briefings led by police and elected officials — not just press releases after tragedy.
Because right now, too many residents feel alone — and too many criminals know it.
💡 Moving Forward
Extortion thrives on silence. And for too long, public safety discussions in the GTA have ignored this growing threat.
We can’t wait for the next funeral to admit we have a problem. We need to act — not just to punish crime, but to protect those trying to live, work, and raise families without fear.
Because in this hidden crime wave, the biggest weapon isn’t a gun — it’s fear. And the only way to fight it is together.
🛡️ “Watch the Block” is GTA Weekly’s weekly editorial on community safety across the Greater Toronto Area — because safer streets start with informed communities.
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