Update: IHIT announced Tuesday the charge has been upgraded from aggravated assault to attempted murder.
The president of a Sikh temple in Surrey has been charged in a brutal attack that left his wife in critical condition over the weekend.
One count of aggravated assault has been approved against 66-year-old Baldev Singh Kalsi, the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team confirmed Monday.
The Gurdwara Sahib Brookside temple confirmed Kalsi is its president, and that his work there was unpaid.
The accused was arrested Sunday after Surrey RCMP were called to a home in the 19400-block of 32 Avenue and found his wife with life-threatening injuries.
“This tragic incident is domestic related and not a random attack. The victim remains in hospital on life support and in critical condition,” Staff Sgt. Jennifer Pound said in a statement.
The woman’s family has been notified.
IHIT is continuing to investigate by canvassing the neighbourhood and processing the attack scene with the Integrated Forensic Identification Section.
Kalsi is scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday.
