Punjab students face deportation from Canada for dragging man to death under car
Two international students from Punjab face deportation from Canada as they await sentencing in a fatal hit-and-run case where they allegedly dragged a man for more than a kilometre under their car, according to prosecutors.
Shocking details surrounding the incident emerged in a Surrey courtroom as the victim's family described the actions of Gaganpreet Singh and Jagdeep Singh as 'unimaginably cruel'.
According to CTV News, the two men have entered guilty pleas to several charges, including failing to remain at the scene of a collision and interfering with human remains.
The incident took place on January 27, 2024, when a 45-year-old husband and father — identified in court only as 'J.G.' at his family's request — was lying on the road before being hit by a Ford Mustang.
During the proceedings, it was revealed that Gaganpreet was behind the wheel and initially stopped the vehicle following the impact. He and his passenger, Jagdeep, exited the car momentarily.
A recording of a 911 call played in court captured a witness shouting, 'There's a man underneath your car.' Nonetheless, the vehicle drove off, dragging J.G. for approximately 1.3 kilometres before stopping in a cul-de-sac, where the two men worked together to remove the body.
J.G.'s widow, in a statement read aloud in court, expressed anguish over how her husband's body was handled: 'They treated him like a piece of garbage, dumping him on the side of the road.'
She added, 'The nature of how he died was so violent. He was so severely injured, we were not able to view his body.'
Describing him as a devoted family man, she recalled his presence during his children's formative experiences: 'He was there helping (his kids) to take their first steps. He took them to their first swimming lessons, skating lessons. He taught them their first Indigenous ancestral songs.'
Charlie Gilhepsy, a long-time friend of the victim, broke down in court. Speaking to CTV News later, he said, '(J.G.) was the most loving, kind man, one of the most I've known. And that's God's honest truth.'
Both Gaganpreet and Jagdeep, aged 22, had come to Canada as international students. The court was told they have no previous criminal history and are remorseful for what happened.
'I am very sorry. I say sorry to the victim's family,' Gaganpreet Singh said through an interpreter. 'I have been under stress since this accident happened.'
Prosecutors have recommended prison terms of three years for Gaganpreet and four years for Jagdeep, along with three-year driving bans. The Canada Border Services Agency is expected to pursue deportation following sentencing.
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