Latest news with #Punjabi-origin
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Punjabi-origin woman behind Friends star Matthew Perry overdose death
A Punjabi-origin woman accused of supplying the drugs that led to the death of Friends star Matthew Perry has agreed to plead guilty to multiple federal charges, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Central District of California announced Monday. Jasveen Sangha, 42, who holds dual citizenship of the United States and the United Kingdom, has been described by prosecutors as a prolific Los Angeles drug dealer known in her circles as the 'Ketamine Queen.' Sangha, who lived in North Hollywood, built her trade around selling ketamine and other narcotics, often boasting of her reputation among buyers. She admitted to providing the ketamine that caused Perry's fatal overdose in October 2023 and will formally enter her plea in the coming weeks. With her agreement, Sangha becomes the fifth and final defendant in the case to strike a deal with federal prosecutors, avoiding a trial that had been scheduled for September. According to the Justice Department, Sangha has agreed to plead guilty to five counts—maintaining a drug-involved premises, three counts of distribution of ketamine, and one count of distribution of ketamine resulting in death or serious bodily injury. The charges carry a statutory maximum sentence of up to 45 years in federal prison. 'A San Fernando Valley woman has agreed to plead guilty to five federal criminal charges, including that she provided the ketamine that ultimately resulted in the overdose death of actor Matthew Perry in October 2023,' the U.S. Attorney's Office said in a statement. Prosecutors said Sangha worked with co-defendant Erik Fleming, 55, of Hawthorne, to supply Perry with large quantities of ketamine. In October 2023, Sangha and Fleming sold 51 vials of the drug to Perry's live-in assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, 60, of Toluca Lake. On October 28, 2023, Iwamasa injected Perry with at least three doses of Sangha's ketamine, leading to the actor's death. After news of the death broke, Sangha allegedly used encrypted apps to discuss covering her tracks, instructing Fleming to 'Delete all our messages.' Court filings also revealed that Sangha admitted to a prior case involving another victim, Cody McLaury, who died in August 2019 after purchasing ketamine from her. In March 2023, law enforcement searched Sangha's North Hollywood residence and seized 1.7 kilograms of pressed methamphetamine pills, 79 vials of liquid ketamine, counterfeit Xanax, MDMA tablets, powdered cocaine and ketamine, as well as cash and drug-trafficking equipment. Sangha admitted to using the residence as a base for distributing narcotics since at least 2019. Sangha has been in federal custody since August 2024. At sentencing, she faces a statutory maximum of 20 years for the drug-premises charge, up to 10 years for each ketamine distribution count, and up to 15 years for the distribution resulting in death or serious bodily injury—totalling 45 years. The case has been investigated by the Los Angeles Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Perry, who rose to global fame playing Chandler Bing in the hit sitcom Friends, was 54 when he died. His struggles with addiction were widely documented in his memoir and interviews, lending his death a tragic resonance for millions of fans worldwide.
Time of India
12-06-2025
- Time of India
Punjabi-origin businessman shot dead in Canada, gunned down inside office; probe on
JALANDHAR: A 57-year-old Punjabi-origin businessman, Satwinder Sharma, was shot dead in his office in Surrey, Canada, on the evening of June 11. Sharma had been running a workforce supply company since 1992 and was well known in the local Punjabi community. He lived in Abbotsford and was shot at inside his office on 84 Avenue, Surrey. According to reports, two men approached him, started a conversation, and suddenly opened fire. Sharma died at the scene before though the RCMP Surrey Provincial Operations Support Unit responded quickly. The case is being investigated by the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT). The motive behind the murder is still unknown. This incident happened just days after firing at the properties of another Punjabi businessman, Satish Kumar, who is also the president of Lakshmi Narayan Mandir in Surrey. Satish had earlier said he received extortion threats. On June 11, someone named Goldy Dhillon, claiming to be from the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, posted on Facebook, taking responsibility for those attacks. Community sources confirmed that Satwinder Sharma and Satish Kumar are not related.
Time of India
12-06-2025
- Time of India
Punjabi-origin businessman shot dead in Canada, gunned down outside office; probe on
JALANDHAR: A 57-year-old Punjabi-origin businessman, Satwinder Sharma, was shot dead in his office in Surrey, Canada, on the evening of June 11. Sharma had been running a workforce supply company since 1992 and was well known in the local Punjabi community. He lived in Abbotsford and was shot at inside his office on 84 Avenue, Surrey. According to reports, two men approached him, started a conversation, and suddenly opened fire. Sharma died at the scene before though the RCMP Surrey Provincial Operations Support Unit responded quickly. The case is being investigated by the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT). The motive behind the murder is still unknown. This incident happened just days after firing at the properties of another Punjabi businessman, Satish Kumar Sharma, who is also the president of Lakshmi Narayan Mandir in Surrey. Satish had earlier said he received extortion threats. On June 11, someone named Goldy Dhillon, claiming to be from the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, posted on Facebook, taking responsibility for those attacks. Community sources confirmed that Satwinder Sharma and Satish Kumar Sharma are not related.
NDTV
01-05-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
Canada Election 2025: 22 Punjab-Origin Candidates Elected As Canadian MPs
Quick Take Summary is AI generated, newsroom reviewed. The 2025 Canadian federal elections saw a record 22 Punjabi-origin candidates elected to the House of Commons, comprising over 6% of Parliament. Notable wins included Ruby Sahota and Anita Anand, while NDP leader Jagmeet Singh lost his seat. The 2025 Canadian federal elections have marked a historic milestone for the Punjabi community, with a record 22 candidates of Punjabi origin securing seats in the House of Commons. This impressive representation accounts for over 6% of Canada's parliament, showcasing the growing influence of the Punjabi diaspora in the country's politics. In Brampton, a city known for its strong Punjabi presence, the election results were particularly noteworthy. Five constituencies in Brampton featured candidates with Punjabi names, with both the Liberal and Conservative parties claiming wins. Ruby Sahota, a Liberal, defeated Amandeep Judge, a Conservative, in Brampton North, while Maninder Siddhu, a Liberal, beat Bob Dosanjh, a Conservative, in Brampton East. However, not all Liberal candidates emerged victorious, as Sukhdeep Kang, a Conservative, flipped Brampton South by defeating Sonia Siddhu, a Liberal. Beyond Brampton, other Punjabi Canadian politicians made significant wins. Anita Anand, a former innovation minister, retained her seat in Oakville East, while Bardish Chagger, a veteran politician known for her work on diversity and inclusion, secured a win in Waterloo. Other Liberal winners included Anju Dhillon, Sukh Dhaliwal, Randeep Sarai, and Param Bains. The Conservative Party also saw success with candidates of Punjabi origin, including Jasraj Hallan, Dalwinder Gill, Amanpreet Gill, Arpan Khanna, Tim Uppal, Parm Gill, Sukhman Gill, Jagsharan Singh Mahal and Harb Gill. However, not all prominent Punjabi politicians fared well. Jagmeet Singh, the leader of the New Democratic Party (NDP), lost his seat in Burnaby Central, finishing third and subsequently resigning as NDP president. This unexpected outcome has sent shockwaves through Canada's political landscape. The success of Punjabi Canadians in the 2025 elections reflects the growing clout of the Indian diaspora, particularly the Punjabi Sikh community, in shaping policies in one of the world's most progressive democracies.
Time of India
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Punjab-origin leaders win 22 seats in Canada elections
A total of 22 candidates of Punjab origin have secured seats in Canada's federal elections, marking a slight increase from the 20 elected in 2019 and 17 in 2021. These winners are part of the 343-member Canadian parliament . Of the 22, 12 represent the Liberal Party and 10 are from the Conservative Party, as per a report by TOI. #Pahalgam Terrorist Attack Pakistan's General Asim Munir is itching for a fight. Are his soldiers willing? PM Modi chairs 'Super Cabinet' meeting after giving army 'full freedom' India planning to launch military strike against Pakistan within 24 to 36 hours, claims Pak minister This year, 65 candidates of Punjabi descent contested the elections from Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, and Manitoba. They represented all major political parties — the Liberals, Conservatives, New Democratic Party (NDP), and the Greens — along with some independents. One of the most prominent defeats was that of NDP leader Jagmeet Singh, who lost from Burnaby Central. Singh had long been a prominent face in Canadian politics as a Punjabi-Canadian leader. Kamal Khera, minister of health in Prime Minister Mark Carney's cabinet, also lost her seat in Brampton West to Amarjit Gill of the Conservative Party. Khera, a registered nurse and York University graduate, was among the youngest women elected to the Canadian parliament in 2015. Anita Anand, Liberal candidate from Oakville East and a minister in the Carney cabinet, retained her seat. She previously held the innovation, science, and industry portfolio and is the daughter of Indian immigrant parents. Bardish Chagger, Liberal MP from Waterloo Riding, also returned to parliament. She was first elected in 2015 and has served as minister of diversity, inclusion, and youth. Chagger holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Uppal, Conservative candidate, held onto his seat from Edmonton Gateway. A former federal minister under Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Uppal previously lost in Edmonton Mill Woods in 2015 but regained it in 2019 and kept it in Dhaliwal, Liberal MP from Surrey-Newton, was re-elected. He won this seat in 2015 and 2019 and previously represented Newton–North Delta from 2006 to 2011. He is an engineer, land surveyor, and small business owner. Amarjeet Sohi, former mayor of Edmonton, resigned his municipal post to contest the federal election as a Liberal candidate from Edmonton Southeast. He was among the high-profile names in the race. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Co-Founder of Google Brain, Andrew Ng, Is Reported To Have Read Every... Blinkist: Andrew Ng's Reading List Undo The presence of Punjabi-origin candidates continues to grow in Canadian politics, with representation across party lines and a mix of new and returning faces. (Join our ETNRI WhatsApp channel for all the latest updates) Live Events MORE STORIES FOR YOU ✕ « Back to recommendation stories I don't want to see these stories because They are not relevant to me They disrupt the reading flow Others SUBMIT
