Jaspal Atwal, the man who was at the centre of controversy over an invite he received to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s official events in India, has been charged with uttering threats in connection to an April 23 incident in Surrey, B.C. </s> Jaspal Atwal, the central figure in the controversy that surrounded the prime minister's February trip to India, has been charged with uttering threats.

He was charged in British Columbia with one count of uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm in an alleged incident that is said to have occurred on April 23, according to documents filed in a Surrey, B.C., court.

Court documents show bail was paid three days later, and Atwal is scheduled to appear in court on May 24.

Atwal, a Canadian of Indian descent, was previously convicted of attempted murder for trying to assassinate Indian cabinet minister Malkiat Singh Sidhu while he was visiting Vancouver Island in 1986.

During Justin Trudeau's visit to India, Atwal turned up at an official event and got an invitation to another at the Canadian High Commission in Delhi.

Photos of Atwal posing with a Liberal cabinet minister and Trudeau's wife, Sophie Grégoire Trudeau, at an Indian film industry event in Mumbai were sent to media outlets, including the CBC, touching off a public relations firestorm for the Trudeau government that continued in the House of Commons for weeks. </s> Charges against a central figure in the controversy that surrounded Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's 2018 trip to India have been stayed.

Jaspal Atwal was charged last May with uttering threats against Gurvinder Singh Dhaliwal, host of a daily Punjabi-language talk show.

Atwal was charged with one count of uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm in the alleged incident, which is said to have occurred on April 23, 2018, according to documents filed in a Surrey, B.C., court.

Atwal has always denied the charges.

The B.C. Prosecution Service wrote in an emailed statement it decided to drop proceedings against Atwal on June 7 after further information was received by the prosecutor in the case.

"After reviewing this information and the rest of the file materials, the prosecutor concluded the charge approval standard could no longer be met," the statement said.

A stay of proceedings can occur if it is determined there isn't a likelihood of conviction, or if public interest would not be served by prosecuting. Crown prosecutors can decide to reinstate charges within one year of staying proceedings.

Sophie Gregoire Trudeau with Jaspal Atwal at an Indian film industry event in Mumbai during Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's official visit to India in February 2018. (Supplied by Jaspal Atwal)

Atwal, a Canadian of Indian descent, was previously convicted of attempted murder for trying to assassinate Indian cabinet minister Malkiat Singh Sidhu while he was visiting Vancouver Island in 1986. Atwal served time in prison and was later released on parole.

During Justin Trudeau's 2018 visit to India, Atwal turned up at an official event and got an invitation to another at the Canadian High Commission in Delhi. </s> The attempted assassin whose photo-op with Sophie Gregoire Trudeau sparked a major controversy earlier this year was recently charged with uttering threats.

Court records show Surrey, B.C. resident Jaspal Atwal is accused of uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm in connection with an alleged incident on April 23.

A source confirmed it's the same Jaspal Atwal who was convicted in 1986 of trying to murder an Indian official who was visiting Canada.

In February, a picture emerged of the convict posing with Justin Trudeau's wife during the Prime Minister's trip to India, raising questions about security protocols because of Atwal’s notorious past.

But Atwal insists he has since moved on with his life, and renounces terrorism in all forms.

In March, Atwal's lawyer said his client was allowed on the trip because he no longer is considered a security threat, and that India granted him three entry visas last year.

Atwal is expected to appear in court next on May 24. </s> The former Sikh separatist militant and convicted attempted murderer whose invitation to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau‘s official events in India sparked a political controversy has been charged with uttering threats.

Court papers show that a Jaspal Singh Atwal was charged with “uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm,” in connection with an April 23 incident in Surrey, B.C.

Global News can confirm that the man is the same Jaspal Atwal synonymous with the infamous “Atwal affair” that erupted in the wake of Trudeau’s trip to India in February.

Atwal was released on $1,000 bail before reappearing in a provincial court in Surrey on Thursday. He is scheduled to make his next court appearance on May 24.

It’s not known who was the target of the alleged threats at this time.

NOTEBOOK: Rampant ‘misinformation’ on Jaspal Atwal affair sparked decision to brief reporters, says Daniel Jean

Atwal, who was convicted of trying to assassinate an Indian cabinet minister in B.C. in 1986, became a central figure in Trudeau’s troubled visit to India after he was spotted hobnobbing with members of the Canadian government delegation at an event in Mumbai.

He was also invited to a second event in New Delhi, but his invitation was rescinded after media exposed his identity to the public.

B.C. Liberal MP Randeep Sarai said he was solely responsible for the invite, but a Trudeau government official — who was not identified at the time — told reporters that rogue factions within the Indian government arranged the invitation to sabotage the trip, a suggestion that the Indian government slammed as “baseless and unacceptable.”

The official was later revealed to be national security adviser Daniel Jean.

Jean testified about the issue in the House of Commons last month, and defended his decision to speak with reporters by saying that he was obliged to counter what he described as “misinformation” circulated by Canadian news outlets. </s> The charges against the man once at the centre of controversy stemming from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s ill-fated trip to India have been stayed.

Jaspal Singh Atwal was charged in May 2018 with uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm in connection to an incident involving a Punjabi radio host in Surrey, B.C on April 23, 2018.

On Monday, the B.C. Prosecution Service (BCPS) confirmed those charges were stayed on June 7, citing further information received by Crown.

READ MORE: Jaspal Atwal to plead not guilty to charges of threatening radio host in B.C.

“After reviewing this information and the rest of the file materials the prosecutor concluded the charge approval standard could no longer be met,” a spokesperson said in a statement. “In these circumstances a stay of proceedings is the appropriate course of action.”

The BCPS would not go into detail about what that information was or where it came from, but did say it made the possibility of conviction in the case unlikely.

Atwal pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were announced. At the time, his lawyer, Marvin Stern, said he intended to “vehemently deny” the allegations.

The former Sikh separatist militant was previously convicted of trying to assassinate an Indian cabinet minister in B.C. in 1986.

He became a central figure in Trudeau’s troubled visit to India in February 2018 after he was spotted mingling with members of the Canadian government delegation at an event in Mumbai.

Atwal was also invited to a second event in New Delhi, but his invitation was rescinded after media exposed his identity to the public.

READ MORE: Jaspal Atwal lawyer says media has ‘obsession’ with client, criticizes reporter for asking questions

The nature of Atwal’s relationship with Trudeau, his family and the Liberal government sparked weeks of calls from the opposition for a proper explanation.

At one time, a government spokesperson tried to suggest Atwal was cleared to attend the events in an attempt by factions in India to embarrass Trudeau, but that claim was never backed up.

Atwal was also the subject of a bizarre press conference in B.C. shortly after the India controversy broke, where Atwal read from a prepared statement explaining his presence at the events.

The press conference became heated when Atwal’s lawyer Rishi Gill was challenged on why his client wouldn’t take direct questions from the media.

Global News has reached out to Gill and Stern for comment. </s> Atwal, 63, was at centre of national controversy during Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's India Trip

Jaspal Atwal, right, speaks to his lawyer Rishi T. Gill during a news conference in downtown Vancouver, on Thursday, March, 8, 2018. (Jonathan Hayward/The Canadian Press)

Jaspal Atwal, who’s invitation to a reception for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau sparked national controversy, has now been charged in a B.C. court for uttering threats.

The charge stems from an incident that occurred on April 23, according to court documents.

Court documents also show that Atwal was in provincial court in Surrey April 26, where he was released on bail.

His next court appearance is May 24, where a date is expected to be set for a trial or hearing.

Atwal, 63, was convicted of attempting to kill Indian cabinet minister Malkiat Singh Sidhu during a visit to Vancouver Island in 1986.

Atwal is a former member of the Liberal riding association in Fleetwood—Port Kells.

He made national headlines after landing an invite to a Canadian government reception in India in February.

Atwal was photographed at one event in Mumbai with the prime minister’s wife, Sophie Gregoire Trudeau.

His invitation to a second event was rescinded after news of his presence broke.

@ashwadhwani ashley.wadhwani@bpdigital.caLike us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. </s> The man at the centre of a controversy surrounding the prime minister's trip to India "vehemently denies" threatening a B.C. radio host, according to his lawyer.

Court documents show Jaspal Atwal was charged last month with threatening Gurvinder Singh Dhaliwal, host of a daily Punjabi-language talk show broadcast online by Media Waves Communications.

Atwal made headlines during Justin Trudeau's February trip to India, when he showed up at an official event despite a previous conviction for trying to assassinate an Indian cabinet minister during a trip to Vancouver Island in 1986.

His lawyer, Marvin Stern, says Atwal denies threatening the radio host.

"There was a conversation between the two of them in the parking lot of the radio station in question," Stern said.

"But there were no threats issued by Mr. Atwal whatsoever."

The incident allegedly occurred on April 23. In information sworn two days later, Atwal was charged with uttering or conveying a threat to cause death or bodily harm to Dhaliwal.

The 62-year-old was released last month on $1,000 bail with conditions that include having no contact with any employees of Media Waves, a company that claims to broadcast to 300,000 South Asians in Canada.

He is allowed to have written communication with station owner Ashiana Khan.

Atwal must also have no contact with Dhaliwal or any members of his immediate family.

Stern would not elaborate on the subject of the conversation between Atwal and Shaliwal.

He also refused to provide any detail on Atwal's involvement with Media Waves. He said Atwal wants the matter to go to trial.

Atwal's next scheduled court appearance is May 24.

During Trudeau's visit to India, Atwal also received an invitation to an event at the Canadian High Commission in Delhi.

Photos of Atwal posing with a Liberal cabinet minister and Trudeau's wife, Sophie Grégoire Trudeau, at an Indian film industry event in Mumbai were sent to media outlets, including the CBC, touching off a public relations firestorm for the Trudeau government that continued in the House of Commons for weeks. </s> A convicted attempted murderer who provoked a political controversy earlier this year after he was photographed with Sophie Gregoire Trudeau during a government trip to India faces new charges.

According to court records, Jaspal Atwal from Surrey, B.C. was charged with uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm in connection with an alleged incident on April 23.

Few other details of the alleged incident are available.

Sources tell CTV Vancouver that the man charged is the same man who appeared in the photograph with the prime minister’s wife.

Atwal was convicted in 1986 of trying to kill an Indian cabinet minister who was visiting B.C. for a wedding. He was later charged, but not convicted, for an attack in 1985 on former Liberal cabinet minister and B.C. premier Ujjal Dosanjh.

In February, Atwal was photographed in Mumbai with officials from Canada’s delegation, including Gregoire Trudeau. Atwal was also invited to a second event at the Canadian High Commissioner to India’s residence in Delhi, but his invitation was later rescinded.

Atwal apologized in March “for any embarrassment” he caused to the country in the scandal. He said he had “nothing but regret and remorse” for his criminal behavior and deserved the punishment he received.

As for attending the events in India, Atwal said he didn’t think it would be a problem.

Atwal’s invitation raised questions about security protocols exercised by the Prime Minister’s Office. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's national security adviser Daniel Jean, who briefed reporters on the Atwal incident, suggested at the time that rogue elements of the Indian government may have attempted to damage Trudeau’s diplomatic trip.

Jean walked back those comments last month in a highly anticipated public testimony at the House Public Safety and National Security Committee. He denied placing specific blame on the Indian government but said “co-ordinated misinformation” was being disseminated by private citizens or potentially members of the Indian government acting without authority.

Jean added that Atwal was not believed to pose a security risk. Instead, he was seen as a possible “controversy that could erupt.”

Atwal is expected to appear in court to face the new charges on May 24.

With files from CTV Vancouver and The Canadian Press </s> Putting an end to all the speculations that Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was snubbed during his week-long India visit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday took to his Twitter account and said that he was looking forward meeting Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Friday. Taking it to Twitter, PM Modi said, “I look forward to meeting PM Justin Trudeau tomorrow and holding talks on further strengthening India-Canada relations in all spheres. I appreciate his deep commitment to ties between our two countries.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi not only just informed that he was looking forward to meet Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau but also mentioned he hoped that his Canadian counterpart and his family had a very enjoyable stay so far. PM Modi especially mentioned about meeting Trudeau’s children Xavier, Ella-Grace, and Hadrien. The Prime Minister also shared a picture from his 2015 Canada visit, when he PM Trudeau and Ella-Grace.

Also Read: Khalistani terrorist Jaspal Atwal spotted at Canadian PM Justin Trudeau’s event in Mumbai; Delhi invitation scrapped

A lot of speculations were doing the rounds in media that Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s India visit was being snubbed by central government minister and Prime Minister Narendra Modi but the prime minister by putting a tweet announcing that he was looking forward to meet Justin Trudeau has put an end to it.

Canadian PM Justin Trudeau’s India visit along with his family was surrounded in a controversy after his wife, Sophie Trudeau, was photographed with a Khalistani terrorist, Jaspal Atwal. The issue came to light after several media channels shared the photographs of Jaspal Atwal standing next to Justin Trudeau’s wife at an event held in Mumbai on February 20. Jaspal Atwal was convicted in the attempted murder of a Punjab Minister in 1986. The controversy was further highlighted after Khalistani terrorist was even included in the guest list of Canadian PM dinner event.

However, speaking out on the issue, Canadian PM Justin Trudeau on Thursday said that obviously, we take this extremely seriously. He should never have received an invitation. As soon as we received the info we rescinded it. A member of Parliament had included this individual.

Also Read: Justin Trudeau says Khalistani terrorist Jaspal Atwal should never have received invitation

Also Read: NPA files on NewsX: India’s biggest investigation into NPAs
Jaspal Atwal, who was the subject of attention during Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's visit to India, is charged after making death threats against a Canadian radio host.