Surrey Sikh temple employee charged after alleged sexual assault on teen
Mounties say a man has been charged in connection with a sexual assault investigation involving a teen at a temple in Surrey's Newton area just over a year ago.
In a news release Friday, Surrey RCMP said 59-year-old Ajastar Singh has been charged with sexual assault and sexual interference of a person under the age of 16.
Singh was arrested in May 2023, after RCMP received reports that a 15-year-old girl had been sexually assaulted at the Gurdwara Dukh Nivaran Sahib, a Sikh temple located in the 15200 block of 68 Avenue.
In a previous news release, Surrey RCMP said the suspect was an employee at the temple at the time. He was arrested on May 5, 2023. He was released shortly after on several conditions, including that he had no contact with the victim and couldn't be in the presence of anyone under the age of 16 without another adult present.
“This is a very sensitive subject, as a 15-year-old female youth has been sexually assaulted at or near a place where a lot of her community goes to pay their respects. It’s very concerning.” Cpl. Sarbjit Sangha told CTV News in an interview last year.
Earlier this month, Singh was arrested again and appeared in court. He was released pending a future court date with multiple conditions, some of which include:
- No contact with children under the age of 16;
- Not attending public areas where children under the age of 16 would likely be present;
- And not engaging in employment or volunteer work that involves working with children under the age of 16.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Like being in prison': Via Rail passenger says people stranded without food, water
A tourist visiting Canada is questioning the safety of Via Rail after he says his phone was snatched from him by an employee when he was documenting a train delay that left passengers stranded as they ran out of food, water and working toilets.
WATCH LIVE Draisaitl signs 8-year contract extension with Edmonton Oilers
Leon Draisaitl is 'locked in,' the Edmonton Oilers announced Tuesday morning, revealing the first details of a contract extension with the German centre.
Canada issues new travel advice amid spread of bug-transmitted disease
Canada is advising travellers to be aware of reported viral Oropouche outbreaks in the Americas, where overall cases are higher than expected and some countries have recorded their first-ever infections.
Just returned from the Olympics, a Ugandan athlete is set on fire by her boyfriend
A Ugandan athlete living in Kenya was set ablaze by her boyfriend and is currently receiving treatment for 75 per cent burns, police said.
Costco's first membership price hike in 7 years just went into effect
Costco customers are now paying more for their annual memberships for the first time since 2017.
Man, 50 others go on trial in France for rape of drugged wife
A 71-year-old man is on trial in France accused of drugging his wife and inviting dozens of strangers to rape her in their home over nearly a decade in a case that has shocked the country.
Back-to-school season: How lunches may become more affordable
Families facing the financial challenge of making school lunches will find some relief this fall. Here are the latest grocery price trends, according to a new analysis.
The US$10-million cocktail everyone is drinking at the U.S. Open
At the U.S. Open currently underway in New York, a single cocktail will surpass US$10 million in sales before the tennis grand slam event ends Sept. 8.
Gunshots fired into B.C. home of Punjabi music star AP Dhillon
Police in British Columbia are investigating after gunshots were fired into the home of a rising Punjabi music star early Monday morning.