In a significant legal development, Tanner Fox, one of the hitmen admitted to the murder of Ripudaman Singh Malik, is set to be sentenced today in a New Westminster, British Columbia courtroom. Fox, along with accomplice Jose Lopez, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in October 2023. While Fox is scheduled for sentencing today, Lopez is expected to return to court on Friday for his sentencing. Both men, who were in their early 20s at the time of the crime, initially faced first-degree murder charges shortly after Malik's death.

Ripudaman Singh Malik was infamously known for being acquitted of charges linked to the 1985 Air India bombing, a tragedy that claimed the lives of 331 individuals. He was fatally shot on July 14, 2022, in Surrey, British Columbia, while sitting in his Tesla at a business park. The court proceedings have revealed that Fox and Lopez were "hired and paid" to execute the murder, although neither police nor prosecutors have disclosed the identity of the individual or group that contracted them for this assassination.

As Fox and Lopez prepare for sentencing, they are facing automatic life sentences for their convictions of second-degree murder. It is reported that crown prosecutors and defense attorneys have jointly proposed that neither defendant should be eligible for parole for a duration of 20 years. This recommendation highlights the gravity of their crimes and the impact of Malik's assassination on the community and beyond.

The background to this case is deeply intertwined with Canadian history. Malik was acquitted of charges related to the 1985 Air India bombings, in which two bombs exploded, resulting in the loss of 331 lives. One bomb detonated over the ocean near Ireland, killing all 329 passengers on board, while the second bomb exploded at Narita Airport in Japan, killing two baggage handlers. A government report published in 2005 attributed these bombings to Sikh Khalistani separatists operating out of Canada, with key figures like Inderjit Singh Reyat being convicted of manslaughter for their involvement.

The circumstances surrounding Malik's assassination are particularly poignant given his controversial history with the Air India bombings. Although he was acquitted, Malik maintained a complex legacy within the Sikh community, with opinions about him divided. His death has prompted renewed discussions about the long-lasting implications of the Air India case and the lingering tensions surrounding its associated actors.

As the court proceedings unfold, the community and relevant stakeholders wait for the sentencing outcomes for both Tanner Fox and Jose Lopez. Their actions not only led to Malik's untimely death but also reignite discussions about justice and accountability for crimes linked to Canada's turbulent past related to Sikh separatism and terrorism.

The case represents a convergence of criminal, historical, and cultural narratives, marking a notable chapter in the ongoing saga of justice related to the Air India tragedy.