National

Sikh teacher in Canada charged with sexual offences involving kids

Darpan News Desk IANS, 04 May, 2023 11:21 AM

Photo courtesy of courtsofbc.ca

Toronto, May 4 (IANS) A 40-year-old Sikh priest and teacher has been charged with six counts of sexual offences involving children in Canada's British Columbia province, a media report said citing prosecutors.

Bhupinder Singh Sonu, who made his first appearance at Surrey Provincial Court on Tuesday, has been charged with three counts each of sexual interference and sexual exploitation involving three different victims, the OMNI News channel reported.

Sonu, who worked as a tabla teacher and a priest at the Khalsa School of the Fraser Valley in Langley, had come to Canada on a work permit and acquired his permanent residency two weeks ago, according to defence lawyer Gagan Nahal.

Nahal added that Sonu is no longer employed by the school.

Court documents obtained by OMNI News said that the alleged offences took place between September 2022 and February 2023.

Sonu has been released under strict bail conditions, and his next appearance in court is on May 30.

Under Canada's criminal code, the maximum punishment for the charges is 14 years of prison.

If convicted under a single charge, Sonu will face deportation, Nahal told OMNI News.

There was no immediate comment from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

This comes just after 62-year-old Indo-Canadian homeopathic doctor Sunil Anand was charged with sexual assault and sexual interference of a young patient in Brampton, following an investigation by the Peel Regional Police Special Victims Unit.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Federal spending on staff grew during pandemic

The Parliamentary Budget Office says the increase in salaries was the largest contributor to the rise in total compensation, but spending on pensions, overtime and bonuses also grew at a faster rate.

Federal spending on staff grew during pandemic

Vancouver's March home sales down 42.5%: REBGV

Last month's sales totalled 2,535 compared with 4,405 sales in March 2022 and 1,808 in February. The B.C. board says the numbers signal that March home sales are making a stronger than expected spring showing so far, despite elevated borrowing costs.

Vancouver's March home sales down 42.5%: REBGV

Fungus deadly to bats detected in B.C. guano

The ministry says the fungus is primarily spread by bat-to-bat contact and doesn't affect humans but can spread through the movement of contaminated clothing and gear, or through accidental transport of the animals.

Fungus deadly to bats detected in B.C. guano

B.C. Indigenous rights beat mining, court hears

Human rights commissioner Kasari Govender confirmed in a separate news release Monday that she will be in court this week. She said how the declaration act is interpreted and implemented in this case will have "important implications for reconciliation in the province."

B.C. Indigenous rights beat mining, court hears

Child becomes entangled in garage door: New Westminster Police

Officers learned that the child had become entangled in the garage door and had suffered injuries. A heroic neighbour heard the mother in distress and rushed to free the child who was unable to free themself from the moving parts of the garage door.

Child becomes entangled in garage door: New Westminster Police

2 VPD officers attacked in Stanley Park

The officers were on patrol Saturday afternoon when they were called around 4 p.m. to check on a man who was yelling, swearing, and making families feel unsafe near the playground at Second Beach. Shortly after the officers arrived, the man turned on them. He attacked the constables and caused injures to their faces and heads.