The life of Darshan Singh Sahsi, a 68-year-old Punjabi NRI businessman known for his extensive recycled clothing enterprise, was tragically cut short in Canada. He was the victim of a targeted attack, reportedly carried out by the Lawrence Bishnoi-Goldy Brar gang. However, Sahsi was perhaps more profoundly defined by his passionate stance against the pervasive issue of illicit drugs and youth addiction in Punjab.
A pivotal moment in his advocacy came in 2016 during a memorial service for his nephew. In a deeply emotional address at a gurdwara in his native Rajgarh village, Sahsi bravely declared, “I don’t want to hide the truth. My nephew has died of drug addiction.” This poignant statement came at the concluding prayers for Jagjit Singh Sahsi, who was only 36 and left behind a wife and a young daughter. Sahsi used the occasion to confront not only the village’s grief but also the community’s collective denial of the drug crisis.
His candid words stood in stark contrast to the political condolence messages that preceded his speech, which notably omitted any mention of drugs. Jagjit had reportedly been found dead with a packet of heroin, commonly known as ‘chitta,’ in his possession.
Sahsi’s Stand on Punjabi Culture and Drugs
Sahsi shared with HT his personal anguish, stating, “I have flourished on foreign shores, lived the dream! But I am a failure. I could not save my child.” He expressed deep concern over what he perceived as a decline in Punjabi culture, lamenting that “moral degradation and collapse of the education system have birthed a generation that does not know how to live with ‘sanjam’ (patience), as was prescribed in Gurbani (words of the Sikh gurus).”
He also noted that the drug problem wasn’t confined to Punjab, stating, “It is present among Punjabis in Canada too. We carry this with us.” Sahsi made a heartfelt plea to parents and families to take action, urging them, “Don’t run after money! Save your kids. Educate them.” His impactful address lasted 45 minutes.
Gang Claims and Family’s Rebuttal
Tragically, nine years after his impactful speech, Sahsi was shot dead on October 28, 2025, outside his residence in British Columbia, Canada. Reports soon emerged that Goldy Dhillon, a Canada-based gangster associated with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, claimed responsibility for the murder. Dhillon allegedly posted on Facebook that Sahsi was involved in the drug trade and had failed to comply with the gang’s demands for money, claims that HT could not independently verify.
Sahsi’s family vehemently refuted these allegations. His son told The Indian Express, “We completely deny all such talks which are going on. My father or anyone from our family never received any threat, extortion, or ransom call from any gangster, etc. No one, absolutely no one, benefits from killing my father. He was a man who just always gave back to society. People who know him really know who he was.”
While Lawrence Bishnoi remains incarcerated in Gujarat, the Bishnoi Gang has recently been designated a terror entity in Canada due to its involvement in crimes targeting prominent individuals of Punjabi origin in Canada. The gang has previously claimed responsibility for incidents such as firing outside the homes of Punjabi singers AP Dhillon and Gippy Grewal, and attacks on Kapil Sharma’s cafe in British Columbia.
Sahsi’s Journey to Success
Darshan Sahsi relocated to Canada in 1991. Before his move, he was a brick kiln owner in Rajgarh village, near Doraha in Ludhiana. He also owned a recycling plant in Kandla, Gujarat, and a facility in Panipat, Haryana. In Canada, he established Canam International, which grew to become a global leader in clothing recycling. Sahsi was also recognized for his philanthropy and contributions to the NRI, Punjabi, and Sikh communities.
Deeply connected to his roots in Punjab, he actively supported Ludhiana’s Punjabi Sahit Akademi, promoting the region’s language and heritage. Authorities stated that Sahsi was shot by unidentified assailants while near his SUV, parked in his driveway, and he died at the scene. Abbotsford Police responded to the shooting call shortly after 9:20 AM local time.