One man has been identified and charged in relation to an assault outside Rio Banquet Hall in Calgary where Rishi Nagar, a longtime host with RED FM Calgary, was attacked.
Although police did not reveal the identity of the victim, Red FM shared the news, “On Sept 29th at 3 pm, our Host and News Director Rishi Nagar was attacked by 2 people. The complaint has been filed with the Calgary Police.”
In a release police said, “At approximately 3 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, Police were dispatched to the Rio Banquet Hall, located at 2850 Hopewell Pl. N.E., for reports of an assault. Upon arrival, officers located one man who sustained injuries consistent with a physical assault. The victim was assessed by EMS at the scene and his injuries were determined to be minor.”
It is believed the victim was leaving the Rio Banquet Hall when he was approached by two men. The men engaged the victim in conversation and followed him toward his vehicle. The conversation escalated to a verbal altercation, and in the parking lot, one of the men allegedly began to physically assault the victim. Bystanders intervened and the men fled the area.
As a result, Dilpreet SINGH, 27, of Calgary, is charged with one count of assault.
SINGH will next appear in court on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024.
Nagar held a press conference in which he gave the details of the events that led to his attack. He believes he was attacked as a result of previous reporting he did connected to ongoing extortion. He said, “Many of you are aware I have spent a significant portion of my career reporting on the growing issues of extortions and criminal activities affecting the South Asian communities because the hardworking and the successful members of our community are living under constant fear and threat. It is important for the media to play its role and provide unbiased journalism.”
Nagar informed CBC that the attackers told him they were upset with recent reporting his outlet did. He said the coverage in question revolved around two weapons-related arrests last Wednesday at the Dashmesh Culture Centre.
Nagar, who was bandaged across the left eye, said the attack left him with painful eye injuries and have left him at risk of “retinal detachment.” But he said that he will not be silenced and continue to do unbiased reporting. “The physical injuries that I sustained including an injury to my eye the retina is under a risk of severe damage and these injuries are for sure painful but what wounds me more deeply is the intent behind this assault. It is a clear attack on journalism and on the free press. This was not a personal attack on me alone this was an assault on the very principles that bind us as a free and democratic Society.”
He further added, “I will not be silenced these cowardly actions will not deter me or my colleagues from continuing our work nor will they dissuade the Press from reporting on matters of public interest. They can break my eye not the resolve. “
Dilpreet Singh charged in assault of Calgary Red FM host
