National

Indo-Canadian physiotherapist faces additional sexual assault charges

Darpan News Desk IANS, 23 Nov, 2023 01:46 PM

Toronto, Nov 23 (IANS) A 53-year-old Indian-origin physiotherapist in Canada's Ontario province is facing additional charges in an ongoing sexual assault investigation after more victims came forward, police said.

Iraj Daneshvar was arrested on Thursday, and charged with two additional counts of sexual assault by the York Regional Police's Criminal Investigations Bureau, in conjunction with Sexual Assault and Crimes Against Children Unit.

Investigators received information on October 23 that a victim was sexually assaulted during a physiotherapy visit at a clinic in the area of Yonge Street and Centre Street in Richmond Hill.

On October 30, he was charged with one count of sexual assault causing bodily harm, following which the public was notified.

"As a result, other victims came forward and reported being sexually assaulted by the suspect under similar circumstances," The York Regional Police said in a statement.

Police believe there may be other victims who have not yet come forward and they are urging them to contact police as soon as possible.

In August this year, 55-year-old Ajay Gupta was arrested in Toronto for allegedly sexually assaulting two women during job interviews.

Toronto Police said that during the interviews, Gupta would instruct the victims how to meditate and then sexually assault them.

In June, Gurpartap Singh Walia and his son Sumrit Walia were arrested and charged in Calgary for sexually assaulting and exploiting multiple teenage girls over the course of several months.

An investigation by the Calgary Police Service Child Abuse Unit found that the duo provided girls, not of consenting age, alcohol, vapes and drugs in exchange for sex.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Vancouver council approves zoning to allow multiplex units in most neighbourhoods

Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim says the city has taken a "huge step" toward "housing attainability" by approving multiplex units in single-family neighbourhoods, but critics of the plan argue the step is little more than a shuffle. Councillors unanimously endorsed a motion Thursday night that creates a single residential zone across most of the city, clearing the way for what supporters call "missing middle" housing.

Vancouver council approves zoning to allow multiplex units in most neighbourhoods

No illicit drugs in parks

The B-C government's drug decriminalization policy has changed to make it illegal to possess illicit drugs near playgrounds, water parks and skate parks. The Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions says the change is intended to keep drugs and drug users away from what it calls "child-focused spaces," adding to the existing list of excluded spaces that includes schools and childcare facilities.

No illicit drugs in parks

B.C. to end state of emergency as wildfire risk winds down

The British Columbia government says it is ending the state of emergency imposed last month when thousands of residents were chased out of their homes by wildfires. The government says in a statement the wildfire risk is diminishing in much of the province as temperatures cool, allowing most residents to return home.

B.C. to end state of emergency as wildfire risk winds down

DNA match in Ibrahim Ali murder case as exact as identical twins, B.C. court is told

An RCMP expert testifying at Ibrahim Ali's murder trial told the court she has never seen a DNA match as close as the one between the suspect and samples found on his alleged victim — except for DNA matches between identical twins. Forensic biologist Christine Crossman said police investigators were very thorough in their collection and testing of genetic samples from the body of the 13-year-old girl, whose identity is protected by a publication ban.

DNA match in Ibrahim Ali murder case as exact as identical twins, B.C. court is told

Ex-B.C. police chief to investigate release of suspect before Chinatown stabbing

Former Abbotsford police chief Bob Rich has been appointed to look into the release of a man from British Columbia's psychiatric hospital before the man allegedly stabbed three people in Vancouver's Chinatown. Premier David Eby said Thursday that he has read the BC Review Board report on the accused and wants Rich to determine how the man could have been released, despite being a "really significant danger to the public."

Ex-B.C. police chief to investigate release of suspect before Chinatown stabbing

Federal government will remove GST on new rental housing builds, senior source says

A senior government source says Ottawa is planning to remove the G-S-T on construction of new rental apartment buildings. The source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, says Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is expected to make the announcement today as he wraps up a three-day Liberal caucus retreat in London, Ontario.