An Indian postgraduate student from Punjab’s Ludhiana, who had gone to Canada just four months ago for higher studies, was stabbed to death at his rental house on Queen Street in Sarnia city, Ontario on December 1.
The deceased identified as Gurasis Singh, 22, was pursuing post-graduation in business from Lambton College in Canada after completing his graduation from Punjab College of Technical Education (PCTE), Baddowal, Ludhiana.
The Sarnia police in Canada said in a statement that the accused identified as Crossley Hunter, 36, “shared space in the same rooming house” with Singh at 194 Queen Street in Sarnia and allegedly stabbed him multiple times with a knife as a result “of altercation between both residents in the kitchen”.
The police said that Hunter has been charged with second degree murder and added that “at this time, crime doesn’t seem to be racially motivated”.
However, Singh’s father Charanjeet Singh, 52, told The Indian Express that his son was “killed in sleep” and raised suspicion that the accused was under the influence of drugs. They have got his medical tests done, said Charanjeet Singh who runs a packaging material manufacturing unit in Ludhiana.
“Hours before our son was brutally murdered, he had spoken to us and was very happy. He was hoping to call us also to Canada soon and said that we would live together again as a family. He used to prepare for college in the night itself and prepare his meals. He had a long conversation with his mother also hours before being killed in sleep,” he said.
Gurasis Singh is survived by parents and a younger brother Manraj Singh who studies in Ludhiana. The family lives in Ludhiana at Phase-7, Focal Point, Chandigarh Road.
The family members said that the accused lived in the neighbouring room in the apartment and the two men only shared a common kitchen.
“In his initial statement to the police, the accused said that he stabbed my son in self-defence but later police found that he was killed in sleep. We suspect that the accused was under the influence of some drugs but only the police can clarify,” Charanjeet Singh said.
Shocked at the news of Gurasis’ death, his mother was hospitalised. “She still hasn’t been talking,” Charanjeet said.
The family has appealed to the Central Government to help bring the body of their son to Punjab for final rites and urged for financial help as they had used all their savings to send their son to Canada.
Meanwhile, Lambton College where Gurasis studied stated that it has been in touch with the student’s family, and are working on funeral arrangements and repatriation. Students and other local community members have also started an online fundraiser to help the family financially.
Referring to the recent changes in India-Canada relations, Charanjeet said, “I cannot say if my son was targeted due to his nationality as the police probe is ongoing. We have full faith in the Canadian police and judicial system. I am sure my son will get justice”.
The Sarnia police stated that in their statements they were intimated about the stabbing incident on Sunday, December 1, at 4.59 am.
In another statement, the Criminal Investigations Division of the Canadian Police is gathering evidence to “determine the circumstances surrounding this criminal act”.
