Skip to content

Assault charges stayed against murdered Surrey teen's ex-boyfriend

Gurjinder (Gary) Dhaliwal was accused of assaulting former girlfriend Maple Batalia and another person prior to Batalia's death.
65999surreybatalia-maple3
The former boyfriend of murdered Surrey teen Maple Batalia (above) has had two assault charges dropped.

Assault charges have been dropped against the ex-boyfriend of murdered teen Maple Batalia, who was shot to death late last month in Surrey.

Gurjinder "Gary" Dhaliwal was charged with assaulting 19-year-old Batalia and another person at a Tim Horton's near 96 Avenue and King George Boulevard on Sept. 24, four days before Batalia was gunned down in a parkade outside SFU Surrey on Sept. 28.

Dhaliwal turned himself in to police on Oct. 3 in connection to the assaults and was released the same day.

However, Crown prosecutors directed a stay of proceedings against Dhaliwal on Tuesday (Oct. 18), meaning the assault charges will not be pursued.

"On review of the case, the charge assessment standard for proceeding was not met any longer," Crown spokesman Neil McKenzie said, unable to provide further details.

No arrests have been made in connection with Batalia's death, but investigators are seeking information about a white Dodge Charger with a sunroof that was seen racing from the scene.

Police believe the murder was targeted and have as many as 50 officers assigned to the case.

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team Tip Line at 1-877-551-IHIT. If you wish to remain anonymous you can call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.

- with files from CTV