From Suspected Accident to Murder Charge
What initially appeared as a tragic car accident has now been revealed as a murder case that has shocked both the Indian community in Canada and residents of Ludhiana. Mandeep Kaur, a 30-year-old woman from Gujjarwal village in Ludhiana, was found dead inside a burned vehicle in British Columbia on October 26, with her brother-in-law now facing second-degree murder charges.
The Tragic Discovery and Investigation
The Delta police responded to a vehicle fire and crash on the 7000-block of Highway 17 on October 26, where they discovered Mandeep Kaur as the sole occupant of the vehicle. While the incident was initially treated as an accident, investigators quickly noted suspicious circumstances that prompted them to transfer the case to the Major Crime Section.
Mandeep Kaur had moved to Canada six years ago on a study visa and had been married for just seven months at the time of her death. Her wedding to a family from Lodhiwal village took place in Canada approximately seven months prior, with no ceremony held in her native village in India.
Arrest and Charges
On November 6, police arrested 24-year-old Gurjot Singh Khaira, the younger brother of Mandeep's husband. He was initially charged with indignity to human remains after investigators alleged he had moved Mandeep's body from one location to another.
Following extensive investigation, Crown Counsel approved an additional charge of second-degree murder on November 25. Khaira remains in custody and is scheduled to appear in court on December 11, according to an official statement released by the Delta police.
Family Background and Community Reaction
Mandeep's father, Jagdev Singh Jaggi, a former commission agent, moved to British Columbia nearly two decades ago and has been living there with his son's family. Meanwhile, Mandeep's mother, Jaswinder Kaur, continues to live alone in Gujjarwal village.
Kuldeep Singh, former sarpanch of Gujjarwal village, expressed the community's shock: "Her father shifted to Canada about 20 years ago and never returned. Mandeep moved to Canada after clearing IELTS. We had heard her marriage was held in Canada a few months ago. It is very sad to hear about this incident. We hope the Canadian police provide justice to the family."
The Delta police have extended condolences to Mandeep's family but have refrained from sharing additional investigative details due to the ongoing nature of the case. Mandeep's mother, who was in Faridkot, is expected to return to the village, while relatives stated they await more information from authorities about the tragic circumstances surrounding her death.
