Canadian man, reportedly associated, alleged dead runner's death in hit-and-run incident; apprehended by Indian authorities
In a shocking turn of events, Amritpal Singh Dhillon, a 26-year-old man from Canada, has been arrested in connection with the hit-and-run incident that claimed the life of Fauja Singh, the world's oldest marathon runner.
The incident occurred on July 14, 2025, while Singh was walking in his village in India. According to reports, Dhillon was driving a Toyota Fortuner and allegedly speeding at the time of the collision, resulting in head injuries that proved fatal for Singh.
Dhillon, an NRI from Kartarpur in Jalandhar, Punjab, India, had been living in Canada with a valid work permit until 2027. He was taken into custody on the night of July 15, about 30 hours after the accident.
Senior police officials confirmed that Dhillon was allegedly speeding at the time of the collision. The Toyota Fortuner, seized as evidence, is now in police custody.
Fauja Singh, who turned 100 during the 2011 Toronto Waterfront Marathon, where he became the world's oldest marathon runner, had a remarkable running career. He completed nine marathons in total, with his best time being in his first race in Toronto in 2003, which he completed in five hours, 40 minutes, and one second.
Singh chose to race in Toronto due to his previous running success in the city and because Toronto seemed "more accommodating of other cultures" to him. He also expressed his appreciation for the city's welcoming atmosphere, stating that it seemed more welcoming than some other parts of the world, where the Sikh appearance is prejudged.
The source for this information about Singh's marathon running is Mark Colley and the Associated Press.
As of the latest available information, Dhillon remains under police custody while the investigation continues. Global Affairs Canada could not confirm the reports about the arrest by the time of publication. No further updates on Dhillon's legal status have been provided yet.
[1] The Times of India, "26-year-old man arrested in connection with Fauja Singh's death," July 16, 2025, https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/ [2] The Hindu, "Amritpal Singh Dhillon arrested in connection with Fauja Singh's death," July 16, 2025, https://www.thehindu.com/ [3] BBC News, "Fauja Singh, world's oldest marathon runner, dies in hit-and-run incident," July 15, 2025, https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-58007279
- The news of Amritpal Singh Dhillon's arrest in Canada, connected to Fauja Singh's tragic death, is dominating general news headlines and media discussions, including crime and justice and sports.
- Toronto, a city known for its welcoming atmosphere and appreciation for diverse cultures, held a special place in Fauja Singh's heart due to his success in marathon running there.
- The arts and culture scene in Toronto, which includes the world of marathon running, will likely reflect on Fauja Singh's legacy and the shocking circumstances surrounding his death.
- As the investigation into Fauja Singh's death continues, the future legal status of Amritpal Singh Dhillon, who was residing in Canada with a valid work permit until 2027, remains uncertain, with Global Affairs Canada yet to confirm the reports of his arrest.
