SURREY - The president of a Sikh temple in Surrey has been charged with attempted murder as his wife remains in critical condition following a domestic dispute.
Baldev Singh Kalsi, 66, was taken into custody on July 14 and had originally faced charges of aggravated assault. Those charges were later upgraded to attempted murder. He is the president of the Gurdwara Sahib Brookside.RCMP were called to a home in the 19400-block of 32nd Avenue in Surrey around noon on Sunday.Upon attendance, police located Kalsi's wife who had sustained life-threatening injuries. She was then airlifted to a hospital by BC Ambulance Service.Surindar Singh Jabal, public relations spokesperson for the Brookside temple, told the Now that he was shocked by what happened but did not have any details on the incident."It's really bad and really sad, I don't know what else I can say," he said."It's a family matter. The first thing is the law should take its course and justice should prevail. If he is guilty then they should punish him."Jabal has not had any contact with the Kalsi family and could not provide any updates on the status of Kalsi's wife, Narinder."We are equally sad like everybody else and equally concerned, and we pray for his wife Narinder that she gets better," said Jabal.Coun. Barinder Rasode believes that while the issue of domestic violence is still a problem, there is more awareness and attitudes are changing."Not only is there more of an awareness but more of a collective outrage against this type of violence. We have seen that in many cases, whether it be Manjit Panghali or Maple Batalia ... I think that the community is not only speaking out but working hardto make sure that this type of behaviour is discouraged and fought against," she said."Abuse whether it is emotional, physical or financial has no room in any culture or society and definitely not here in the City of Surrey."Jabal told the Now that these sort of violent acts are not condoned by most members of the Sikh and South-Asian communities."Life is very important, that's what we believe, and there is no reason to take somebody's life over an argument like that," he said.Baldev Singh Kalsi was due to appear in Surrey court on Wednesday, July 16.Visit the Now online at thenownewspaper. com for the latest on this story.matt@mattlaw.ca