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Jassi's mother and uncle denied bail

Asianpost — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 16:27:39 +0000

Malkit Kaur Sidhu, 63, and Surjit Singh Badesha, 67, both of Maple Ridge, were arrested in January and have been charged with conspiracy to commit murder in connection with the June 2000 slaying in India of the 25-year-old victim.
The pair are being sought for extradition to India.
The accused and their lawyers appeared in B.C. Supreme Court last week and argued they should be released pending their extradition hearing.
But the Crown argued the mom and uncle had targeted Jassi Sidhu and Mithu Singh Sidhu, the young man she had secretly married, against the wishes of her family.
“You will see in the record, it is replete with threats by Ms. Sidhu and Mr. Badesha,” prosecutor Deborah Strachan, who’s acting on behalf of the state of India, said in arguments Friday that were subject to a temporary publication ban. “They essentially engaged in a campaign of terror on various visits to India.”
Jassi and Mithu were married in March 1999 and Jassi returned to Canada in May 1999, with the marriage only being discovered at the end of the year.
Strachan told B.C. Supreme Court Justice Mark McEwan that Jassi told friends and co-workers that she feared she’d be killed if her family learned of the marriage.
Badesha and Malkit Sidhu travelled to India and told Punjab police that Jassi had been abducted at gunpoint and forced to marry Mithu, Strachan said.
The two accused told Mithu to forget about his marriage and have it nullified, she said.
“They threatened Mithu’s mother and friends, telling them that Mithu would be killed and that they themselves would be killed because of their support for the marriage,” said Strachan.
After Jassi told police that her husband had done nothing wrong, he was released and the couple went into hiding.
On June 8, 2000, Jassi and Mithu were attacked by a group of men, with Mithu being beaten badly and Jassi abducted. Her body was found the next day, her throat slit.
Strachan said the accused should be detained because there was a substantial risk they would try to interfere with witnesses.
On Wednesday, the judge lifted the publication ban on the case and denied bail to the accused. The case was put over until next week to set a date for the hearing.

Source: The Province Newspaper
See full story + images at http://www.theprovince.com/news/Jassi+Sidhu+relatives+denied+bail+ahead+extradition+hearing/6229487/story.html

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Canadian police arrest Jassi's mother and uncle

Asianpost — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 01:44:56 +0000

Shocking new revelations in Jassi book spur arrests in 11 year old case

In a dramatic turn in the Jassi Sidhu murder case, the Supreme Court of British Columbia has issued arrest warrants against Jassi's mother Malkit Kaur Sidhu, 63, and maternal uncle Surjit Singh Badesha, 67, of Maple Ridge.
The pair was arrested on January 6th and are currently being held in custody pending an extradition hearing.
The warrants were issued under Canada's Extradition Act.

The recent release of the book, Justice for Jassi is being attributed for spurring action in the cold 11-year old case.
See: www.amazon.com/Justice-for-Jassi-ebook/dp/B0066BJ91I/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1325986935&sr=8-1

There has been little movement on the case file in the past decade but in the brief two months since the book's release, approximately 6,000 people have signed the petition on www.justiceforjassi.com demanding the RCMP lay charges in the case.

The book's co-authors Fabian Dawson, Deputy Editor of The Province newspaper, and Harbinder Singh Sewak originally broke the story of her murder in the summer of 2000 and have since followed the case closely, including travelling to India to research the book.

Sewak, the publisher of The South Asian Post, paid for lawyers to free Jassi's husband Mithu from prison after he was jailed for false rape charges (see: www.southasianpost.com/article/you-helped-us-save-innocent-man).

Recently, Sewak also assisted the CBC's Fifth Estate, consulting its journalism team on their recent TV documentary on the case, Escape from Justice.

After the murder in 2000, Indian authorities laid conspiracy to commit murder charges against Jassi's mother and uncle after the Indian Police Service (IPS) and the Punjab Police Service (PPS) conducted an investigation into the murder.

The investigation uncovered evidence indicating Jassi Sidhu’s family were involved in the homicide from Canada.

Seven other individuals, allegedly hired by the uncle and mother here in Maple Ridge, have already been convicted in India for charges including murder, attempt murder and conspiracy to commit murder in relation to the death of Jassi Sidhu and attempted murder of her husband, Mithu Sidhu.

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CBC 5th Estate: New Revelations

Asianpost — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 02:30:44 +0000

CBC 5th Estate - Escape from Justice
It's a case the fifth estate has investigated for more than a decade now, and "Escape from Justice" is the next chapter in the story of Jassi Sidhu, the beautiful, young Canadian woman who defied her family when she fell in love with and secretly married an impoverished auto-rickshaw driver in India.

Not long after, she was murdered in a roadside attack, her new husband left for dead by her killers. In the years since, four men were convicted of Jassi's murder and sent to prison in India. Meanwhile, her husband spent four years behind bars after being falsely accused of rape by a woman linked to the conspirators.

Evidence gathered by Indian authorities at the time, and presented on the fifth estate, pointed to Jassi's family allegedly arranging her murder from their home here in Canada -- yet no charges have ever been laid in this country.

Now, acting on new information, the fifth estate's Bob McKeown presents stunning new information about those accused in the killing.

For more information go to: http://www.cbc.ca/fifth

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Jassi's Inspiration: Bif Naked

Asianpost — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 23:04:08 +0000

Juno Award-winning, Canadian multi-platinum record selling, rock singer, writer, poet, motivational speaker and actress.

In my own life, and on my own path and journey through this world, I am also inspired by the blessing of love and the freedom our hearts find in it.
Jassi is a part of my own inspiration, my own life.
Her determination to live her truth and live honestly, gives me hope for this world.
I have deep faith in her beliefs about true love.
Love can cure and conquer anything, and she tragically sacrificed her life for this truth.
Jassi will never be forgotten.
She has encouraged my own spirit, and empowers me to remain strong in my own spirit and my own heart.
Jassi teaches me that LOVE is ALL.
She will remain my Hero, my Saint.
Blessed Be.

For more on Bif Naked go to www.bifnaked.com.

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Jassi's Inspiration: Pamela Martin

Asianpost — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 01:15:00 +0000

Pamela Martin is well known in her adoptive home of Vancouver, Canada.
A former "Miss Teen USA" winner, she has worked as a TV journalist/ anchorwoman for numerous years on BCTV and CTV.
Pamela was the first female reporter to work at CKNW 980 and is one of British Columbia's most recognizable faces.
Recently, Pamela joined BC Premier Christy Clark's team as the Director of Outreach.

My father started a family tradition called 'Magic Moments'.
It was an effort we made as a family to get together at least once a year.
Since he passed away 26 years ago, my mother has kept that tradition going and been the glue keeping our family together - even though my three siblings and I are spread across North America.
Like Jassi, her love has been inspiring.
She is an incredibly selfless person, and because of her my two brothers and sister and I all get together at least twice every year to continue my father's tradition and create more 'Magic Moments'.

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Jassi's Inspiration: Krupa MaNomay

Asianpost — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 00:50:59 +0000

Lead vocalist for Transglobal Underground, winner of a BBC Radio 3 World Music Award.
Krupa has performed with the Grammy nominated duo 1Giant Leap, Neneh Cherry, Maxi Jazz (Faithless) and Natacha Atlas.

At the tender age of 13, my elder sister Rinku taught me to believe in myself.
She inspired me, to speak out about ideas and not be afraid to ask questions, even if asking older people.
Through her I learned that we must learn to make decisions for ourselves, even if they prove unpopular with the established order.
To this day her courage, strength and open-heartedness reminds me of Jassi.
She has inspired me to be the eccentric artist that I am.
Without apologies.

For more on Krupa, go to www.myspace.com/krupa

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Jassi's Inspiration: Deepa Mehta

Asianpost — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 20:58:14 +0000

A Genie Award-winning Indian-born Canadian film director and screenwriter.
Mehta has attained international attention with her films.
These include the trilogy of Fire (1996), Earth (1998), and Water (2005).

"I am adamantly against honour killings.
There is NO honour in murder."

More on Deepa Mehta, go to www.facebook.com/deepa.mehta

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Jassi's Inspiration: Nav K. Gill

Asianpost — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 18:20:18 +0000

Canadian writer, author of Under the Moonlit Sky

What I see is a woman who had no fear and followed her heart.
These are two lessons my parents have taught me and my husband continues to inspire me with.
Without their love and encouragement I would not be who I am today.
We don't know what God has laid out for us, all we can do is follow the path of love and do it with a smile.

For more about Nav K. Gill go to www.navkgill.com

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Jassi's Inspiration: Barinder Rasode

Asianpost — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 02:59:31 +0000

City Councillor, City of Surrey

Jassi's message of love crossed borders, caste, economic status and the chains of family.
It revealed the goodness of her soul.
In my life, Jassi’s unconditional love is reflected in the nurturing I received from my parents Jarnail and Surinder Sidhu.
It is a type of love that stands strong no matter what the challenge.

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Jassi's Inspiration: Agam Darshi

Asianpost — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 02:51:46 +0000

Actress/ Series lead (Kate Freelander) on Sanctuary (Syfy/ Space)

My Nani-ji (grandmother) believed in the power of love and in the good of people.
Even after having passed away over 10 years ago, she is still remembered with fondness and joy.
She and Jassi have that in common.

News

Jassi's Inspiration: Zara Durrani

Asianpost — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 02:48:06 +0000

Host of Life & Style with Zara on Chek Ch. 6 and Novus

My mother and grandmother's message of love have been the most inspirational for me like Jassi’s.
As a young girl growing up in Pakistan, I was continually supported in my endeavours, even those that fell outside the realm of what was acceptable for a young Pakistani woman.
They instilled in me the message that I am capable of doing anything and being anybody I want to be, regardless of my ethnicity, religion or upbringing.

News

Jassi's Inspiration: Meena Mann

Asianpost — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 02:40:04 +0000

Host of FMA Entertainment Weekly on KVOS-TV

In 2004, my best friend’s husband went into a coma due to an unfortunate bicycle accident.
Against all odds, my best friend spent four years taking care of her unconsciousness husband, believing that he will wake up.
And in 2008, her wish came true… her husband awoke and was in good health.
This tragic, yet joyful story is a great inspiration to never give up on love as Jassi did.

News

Jassi's Inspiration: Prita Chhabra

Asianpost — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 08:00:00 +0000

Canadian recording artist.
Nominated 'Best Female Act' at the 2010 Toronto Independent Music Awards, and received a 2010 ‘Excellence In Entertainment’ award from the National Association of Indo-Canadians. "Roots", Prita’s debut music video and new single, had its world premiere at Tampa’s 2nd annual India International Film Festival, and also screened at film festivals in Seattle and Vancouver.

I believe that love is God. God speaks love.
There is not a single thing in the world that compares to love and how truly unconditional it is.
Love never hurts. It lifts you up to help you become the person you were always meant to be.
I'm proud of Jassi's brave heart.
She did not die in vain, and her life continues to love, to educate, to inspire, and to change a lot of the world's hate which is rooted in ignorance.

More on Prita go to www.pritamusic.com.

News

Did you know my wife?

Asianpost — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 17:50:57 +0000

First of all thank you for your support in my quest to get justice for Jassi. Your messages and words have been very comforting for me as I try and regain my life after being in jail on the trumped up rape charges.
I hope that is the last time I see the inside of a jail.
I am now working with a journalist based in Vancouver, Canada to write a book about my life with Jassi.
Unfortunately, as you know, she was taken from me before we had enough time together to understand her early life and growing up in Canada.
If you knew her as she was growing up in school or from her work, I would like to hear from you.
The information will help me tell my story.
My email is jassibook@yahoo.ca

Thank you and God bless
Mithu

News

Response from John Les and Randy KampB.C. woman's killers will stay in jail for life

Asianpost — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 17:48:03 +0000

A court in India has upheld the life sentences given to four men charged in connection with the murder of a British Columbian beautician in India eight years ago.

Three others who were sentenced to life imprisonment in connection with case that shocked the world were acquitted.

The appeal court decisions were handed down late last week in Punjab, India.

Jaswinder Kaur Sidhu, or Jassi, who graduated from high school in Maple Ridge, was 25 when she was kidnapped, beaten and strangled to death on June 8, 2000.

She had earlier married a poor auto-rickshaw driver, Sukhwinder "Mithu" Singh without her family's consent.

Her body was found in a canal 45 kilometres from Kaonke Khosa, Punjab, where she had moved with her new husband, Mithu, three months earlier.

The kidnappers had left Mithu for dead after attacking him with swords and sharpened sticks.

Shortly after Jassi's body was found with its throat slit, Indian police alleged that family members, including her mother and uncle in B.C., paid thugs up to $50,000 for the hit.

Indian police in court papers allege that the order to kill "came from Canada" after Jassi pleaded for her life over the phone from an abandoned farmhouse.

They have charged Jassi's mother Malkiat Kaur and uncle, Surjit Singh Badesha both of Maple Ridge, with conspiracy to commit murder.

The wealthy Maple Ridge farming family, which was allegedly upset about the secret wedding, has denied any involvement in the incident.

Indian police have revised their extradition requests for the Canadian suspects at least four times.

The mother and uncle remain proclaimed offenders under Indian Law and can be arrested if they set foot on Indian territory.

Originally, eleven people, including another uncle of Jassi's in India, an Indian police inspector and the leader of a local gang, were arrested in connection with the case.

As the case wound through the court system, all but four were convicted.

In the meantime, Mithu, languishes in an Indian jail on rape charges, a case he claims was fabricated by his wife's family to discredit him.

Last June, two RCMP officers from Canada visited Mithu to record a statement.

In upholding the sentence last week, Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel and Justice S.D. Anand, ruled that the life sentences against Darshan Singh, one of Jassi's uncles in Punjab Anil Kumar and Ashwani Kumar, two of the contract killers and Joginder Singh, a police inspector, will stand.

Three life sentences given to Hardev Singh, Gurwinder Singh and Gursharan Singh were set aside.

The ruling comes in the wake of NBC's documentary on the murder which was aired last month.

The documentary Forbidden Love, which retold the story of the murder, featured Vancouver publisher Harbinder Singh Sewak and the deputy-editor in chief of The Province newspaper, Fabian Dawson, who broke the original story.

Sewak, who publishes the Asian Pacific Post and South Asian Post, has developed a website called www.justiceforjassi.com, which has attracted thousands of people from around the world to a petition.

Jassi's murder has been told in three documentaries and a made-for-TV movie.

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