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Accused Surrey temple president assaulted in custody, ousted as leader

Hospitalized Baldev Singh Kalsi – charged with attempted murder of spouse – ordered to remain in custody.
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Baldev Singh Kalsi. Below: Gurdwara Sahib Brookside temple Friday afternoon

A senior facing an attempted-murder charge – after his wife was placed on life support – was hospitalized himself two days later following an in-custody attack

Surrey RCMP say 66-year-old Baldev Singh Kalsi suffered facial injuries in an assault at the Surrey Pretrial Services Centre around 8:30 p.m. Tuesday.

He is expected to make a full recovery, but remained in hospital as of Friday afternoon.

Police say the assault does not appear to be linked to the accusations against the victim, which are being investigated by the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team.

Gurdwara Sahib Brookside templeKalsi was arrested Sunday after his wife was found in severe medical distress at a home in South Surrey.

Thursday, Kalsi was removed from his position as president of the Gurdwara Sahib Brookside temple.

In a statement issued that afternoon, temple spokesman Surindar Singh Jabal and new president Sardul Singh Rehal said they are "deeply saddened" by what happened Sunday, and that temple management "categorically condemns all kinds of violence."

They say an Akhand Path – a 48-hour recital of the Sikh scripture, Sri Guru Granth Sahib – to pray for the speedy recovery of Kalsi's wife, Narinder, was to begin Friday morning at 8 a.m. in the Darbar Hall (at 8365 140 St.) and end with prayer at 8 a.m. Sunday.

According to an RCMP news release, officers have identified a 42-year-old inmate at the 14323 57 Ave. facility as a suspect in Tuesday's attack on Kalsi, and investigation by the detachment's Serious Crime Unit is ongoing.

The incident delayed a bail hearing that had been scheduled for Kalsi for Wednesday morning in Surrey Provincial Court. The hearing was postponed again Thursday morning, and finally conducted that afternoon.

Friday afternoon, a judge ordered Kalsi to remain in custody without bail.

 

 



Tracy Holmes

About the Author: Tracy Holmes

Tracy Holmes has been a reporter with Peace Arch News since 1997.
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