LA (USA): Senior Sikh Professor Harpal Singh Injured in Fatal Attack, Still Critical; SALDEF Demands Full Investigation and Justice
Los Angeles,September 5, 2025 –Sikh Professor Harpal Singh, an elderly Sikh resident of North Hollywood, remains in critical condition after a violent assault near a local 7-11 store earlier this month. The incident, which occurred close to the Gurdwara where he lived, has shocked the Sikh community in California.
The preliminary hearing in the case was adjourned to September 2, where the District Attorney’s office is expected to present evidence against the accused. However, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Chief’s description of the attack as a “property dispute” has raised concerns within the community.
Kiran Kaur Gill, Executive Director of the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF), has strongly objected to this characterization, calling it “premature and deeply inconsistent with the Harpal Singh ji we know.”
Gill emphasized that Harpal Singh was a devout Gursikh known for his humility, daily seva at the Gurdwara, and service to the wider North Hollywood community, often feeding birds, helping the hungry, and supporting those in need.
“While Harpal Singh ji cannot speak for himself, our community deserves the truth of what happened that afternoon. His family deserves accountability, and our sangat deserves a legal system that honors their dignity rather than dismisses their pain,” Gill said.
SALDEF has reiterated its demand for a full and thorough investigation into the assault and called on authorities to deliver justice to Harpal Singh and his family.