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

One man killed in West Vancouver homicide

A statement from West Vancouver police says the male victim was involved in an altercation with an unknown man just before 5 p.m. Tuesday. The statement does not confirm how the victim died.

One man killed in West Vancouver homicide

Suspect charged with mischief after more than 20 panes of glass were intentionally shattered at bus shelters: VPD

VPD officers responded to Granville and Georgia Street around 1:30 a.m. following reports that a man with a hammer was walking down the street and smashing glass at bus stops. Sergey Kurmanaev was taken to jail and has been charged with one count of mischief over $5,000.

Suspect charged with mischief after more than 20 panes of glass were intentionally shattered at bus shelters: VPD

Brace for familiar Canada-U.S. trade anxiety

The U.S. remains unhappy with how Canada has allocated the quotas that give American dairy producers access to markets north of the border. Canada and Mexico both took issue with how the U.S. defined foreign auto content. And Canada and the U.S. oppose Mexico favouring state-owned energy providers.

Brace for familiar Canada-U.S. trade anxiety

Park board has tips to 'respect' Vancouver coyotes

Coyotes are found across Vancouver and prefer sheltered, wooded areas to raise their families, so the board says it will occasionally close trails in high-traffic locations like Stanley Park where they are known to frequent.

Park board has tips to 'respect' Vancouver coyotes

Climate group urges 'made-in-Canada' response

The institute says the federal government shouldn't try to match the incentives and subsidies offered by the U.S. and instead tailor its measures for Canada. Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland has signalled the March 28 budget will include ways to keep Canada competitive as countries transition their economies to cleaner energy and technologies.

Climate group urges 'made-in-Canada' response

Federal minimum wage rising to $16.65 per hour

The federal minimum wage is rising to $16.65 per hour on April 1, up from $15.55. Ottawa set a federal minimum wage of $15 per hour in 2021 and increases it each year based on inflation. The changes are made every year on April 1.