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Former temple president's wife dies in hospital

SURREY - The former president of a Surrey Sikh temple has been charged with second-degree murder after his wife died in hospital.

Narinder Kaur Kalsi was taken off life support Sunday following a domestic dispute that left her in critical condition last week. She was pronounced dead just before 4:30 p.m. Sunday.Her husband, Baldev Singh Kalsi, was originally charged with aggravated assault. That charge was later upgraded to attempted murder, and now second-degree murder.Baldev Kalsi, 66, was the president of the Gurdwara Sahib Brookside but was removed from his position last Thursday.The Canadian Ramgarhia Society, which operates the Gurdwara Sahib Brookside, made the decision.The society's board has appointed Sardul Singh Rehal as president."We are deeply saddened by the tragic incident that took place over the past weekend," the society said in a release. "The management of Gurdwara Sahib Brookside categorically condemns all kinds of violence. These are difficult moments for the society."Meanwhile, Kalsi did not appear in Surrey provincial court last Wednesday asexpected, as he sustained injuries from an assault that happened while in custody at Surrey Pretrial Centre Tuesday evening. Kalsi was taken to hospital with facial injuries. A 42-year-old inmate has been identified as a possible suspect.Police do not believe the incident is linked to Kalsi's involvement in the ongoing investigation. A two-day prayer was planned at the temple, beginning on July 18 at 8 a.m. and ending on July 20 at 8 a.m, for Narinder.areid@thenownewspaper.com kalexandra@thenownewspaper.com