Close X
Monday, November 25, 2024
ADVT 
National

Sikh teacher in Canada charged with sexual offences involving kids

Darpan News Desk IANS, 04 May, 2023 11:21 AM
  • Sikh teacher in Canada charged with sexual offences involving kids

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.

MORE National ARTICLES

Burnaby RCMP seeks man wanted on BC-wide arrest warrant: Manveer Singh Dhesi

Burnaby RCMP seeks man wanted on BC-wide arrest warrant: Manveer Singh Dhesi
28-year-old Manveer Singh Dhesi, who is known to reside in Surrey but spend time in Burnaby, is wanted in relation to several charges including assault, uttering threats, and mischief. Burnaby RCMP is appealing for tips on his whereabouts as investigators work to locate him.    

Burnaby RCMP seeks man wanted on BC-wide arrest warrant: Manveer Singh Dhesi

32 year old Inderdeep Singh Gosal charged with murder in Vancouver Starbucks stabbing

32 year old Inderdeep Singh Gosal charged with murder in Vancouver Starbucks stabbing
Police say the stabbing happened Sunday after a brief altercation between two men outside the coffee shop in the city's downtown core. 32 year old Inderdeep Singh Gosal is accused of second-degree murder.    

32 year old Inderdeep Singh Gosal charged with murder in Vancouver Starbucks stabbing

Dog, cat custody to be built into B.C. laws

Dog, cat custody to be built into B.C. laws
Attorney General Niki Sharma says amendments she introduced in B.C.'s legislature will clarify the law around pets, property and pensions for couples and families going through a separation or divorce.

Dog, cat custody to be built into B.C. laws

Canada goose population 'havoc' on B.C. park space

Canada goose population 'havoc' on B.C. park space
The Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation wants the public to report a nest sighting so staff can replace the eggs with ones that have been frozen to help control the population. Vancouver is an ideal habitat for the birds, with few natural predators and plenty of newly seeded fields and lawns.

Canada goose population 'havoc' on B.C. park space

Tribunal orders payout over caste discrimination

Tribunal orders payout over caste discrimination
Tribunal adjudicator Sonya Pighin says brothers Inderjit and Avninder Dhillon used a caste-based slur against Bhangu during the brawl at the B.C. firm's 2018 party, and ordered that they pay him $9,755 in compensation.

Tribunal orders payout over caste discrimination

B.C. to provide 330 new homes for DTES residents

B.C. to provide 330 new homes for DTES residents
Ravi Kahlon, who announced the new initiative at an afternoon news conference alongside Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim, said there are currently about 117 people living on East Hastings Street, 70 of whom have expressed a desire for housing.    

B.C. to provide 330 new homes for DTES residents