Suspect in Custody for the Assault of Harpal Singh, But No Hate Crime Charges

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: media@sikhcoalition.org 

Suspect in Custody for the Assault of Harpal Singh, But No Hate Crime Charges

August 12, 2025 (North Hollywood, CA) — Today, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) shared that a suspect in custody for the brutal assault of Harpal Singh ji. At this time, however, the LAPD has indicated that they are not investigating this attack as a hate crime.

As a reminder, Mr. Singh is an elderly member of the Sikh community who was violently attacked last Monday, August 4, while taking his daily walk near the Sikh Gurdwara of LA in North Hollywood, California. Mr. Singh sustained very serious injuries during the assault; according to his family, he has had multiple surgeries (including on his head and face) and there was internal bleeding within his brain. He remains unconscious and in critical condition.

In the Sikh Coalition’s view it is impossible to completely rule out a bias motive at this stage. The suspect has been in custody for less than 24 hours, and the victim himself remains unconscious and has thus been unable to sit for a full and comprehensive police interview, with professional translation services, separate from the interview taken immediately after the attack.

“I am grateful to hear that the police have arrested a suspect for the horrific assault of my brother, but we need to better understand this attack and why it is not being considered a hate crime,” said Dr. Gurdial Singh Randhawa, Mr. Singh’s brother. “Justice must be served, and our local Sikh community must know that the area around our gurdwara—where we gather to worship, learn, connect, eat, and serve others—is safe for all.”

“The reality is that elderly men in our community, especially those who maintain their Sikh articles of faith, like turbans and beards, are subjected to violent attacks far too often,” continued Munmeeth Kaur, Sikh Coalition Legal Director. “We are gratified that the LAPD heard the concerns of the community and acted swiftly, but it is far too early to definitively rule out bias as a potential motivation for this assault.”

In close collaboration with Mr. Singh’s family, the local sangat (Sikh community), and allies, the Sikh Coalition intends to stay engaged with the LAPD and press for a public and thorough explanation of their investigative process. Fundamentally, we do not believe this incident can be definitively declared not a hate crime after such a short investigation.  

Finally, the Sikh Coalition is deeply grateful to all sangat members and allies who joined us in North Hollywood yesterday afternoon to stand with Dr. Randhawa and the rest of Mr. Singh’s family. We are especially thankful to all of our speakers, including Dr. Randhawa; Councilmember Adrin Nazarian, 2nd District; Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez, 7th District; Sarah Martin, Staffer for Congressman Sherman; Robin Toma of the LA County Human Relations Commission; Manju Kulkarni, Co-Founder of Stop AAPI Hate; and Niranjan Singh, representing the Sikh Gurdwara of Los Angeles. We will continue to share further updates on this case as they become available; in the meantime, our hearts remain with Mr. Singh and his family as he remains hospitalized.

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