Grandfather’s Canada trip ends in deportation after harassment conviction

A family visit to Canada has ended in legal disgrace for a 51-year-old Indian national, Jagjit Singh, who is now facing deportation following a conviction for criminal harassment. Singh, who had traveled to the country in July on a temporary visa to visit his newborn grandchild, found himself on the wrong side of the law after incidents involving teenage girls in Sarnia.

Unwanted Advances at High School

The trouble began between September 8 and September 11, near a local high school. According to reports from Canadian media, Singh approached students in a designated smoking area and attempted to engage them in conversation. Despite the girls expressing clear discomfort and refusing his requests, Singh persisted.

Witnesses and court documents reveal that he ignored their objections and insisted on taking photographs with them. The situation escalated when he forced himself between two female students, signaling for a picture to be taken. In one instance, he placed his hand around a student's body, prompting her to push him away due to the unwanted physical contact.

Legal Proceedings and Language Barriers

Authorities were alerted to the behavior, leading to Singh’s initial arrest on September 16. He was charged with sexual assault and sexual interference. Although he was granted bail quickly, he was re-arrested almost immediately after a new complaint surfaced.

The legal process faced a brief delay due to a language barrier. Singh, who does not speak English, was forced to spend an additional night in custody because an interpreter was not immediately available to assist with his bail hearing.

The Verdict and Deportation

Ultimately, Singh appeared in a Sarnia courtroom where he entered a plea. While he pleaded not guilty to sexual interference, he pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of criminal harassment.

Presiding Justice Krista Lynn Leszczynski took a firm stance during the sentencing. She emphasized that Singh’s behavior in the school area was unacceptable and noted that he had absolutely no valid reason to be on school property.

As a result of the conviction, Singh has been barred from entering Canada in the future. While he held a return ticket scheduled for December 30, reports indicate that he is being processed for deportation and will likely leave the country sooner due to the revocation of his legal status