Jagpreet Singh, 53, has been convicted of second-degree murder in the killing of his wife, Balwinder Kaur, 41, at her Abbotsford, B.C., apartment. Singh arrived in Canada from India on March 9, 2024, and just six days later, on March 15, 2024, he stabbed Kaur to death after an argument.
Background of the Case
Kaur had sponsored Singh's visa application and allowed him to stay in her basement suite after his arrival. She had come to Canada to support her daughter who was attending university. However, friends revealed that Kaur had expressed fear of her husband and did not want him to come to Canada.
During the trial, Singh claimed that the stabbing was accidental and occurred in the heat of passion after Kaur allegedly swung a knife at him first. He argued for a manslaughter conviction rather than second-degree murder. However, the court heard that Kaur suffered seven stab wounds to the neck and chest, resulting in massive blood loss.
Judge's Ruling
B.C. Supreme Court Justice Andrea Ormiston rejected Singh's account, describing his evidence as “untrustworthy and unreliable.” In her ruling, she stated, “I have found Mr. Singh’s evidence about what transpired between him and Ms. Kaur in the time leading up to her death to be entirely unreliable, particularly on critical points such as the nature of the conflict between them before Ms. Kaur was stabbed, and Mr. Singh’s ensuing memory loss.”
The judge concluded that there was no reasonable doubt regarding Singh's guilt for second-degree murder. Sentencing is expected after October.
Broader Context
The case has drawn attention amid concerns about foreign criminals entering Canada. In a separate but related case, Justice Michael K. Wendl criticized the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) for failing to deport Manjeet Singh, a repeat offender with a deportation order in place since 2022. Wendl wrote, “Ultimately, I have no confidence that the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) will actually deport (Manjeet) Singh. Put bluntly, a deportation order has been in place for nearly four years. During that time, he has been in custody on serious criminal charges, under which CBSA could have readily located and removed him, yet no action has been taken.”
The article by Brad Hunter highlights the tragedy of Kaur's murder and the systemic issues surrounding immigration enforcement in Canada.
