Highlights:
- Jagjit Singh came to Canada on a six-month temporary visa in July.
- He repeatedly approached teenage girls outside a Toronto high school.
- The court found him guilty of criminal harassment.
- Singh received a short jail sentence and will be deported.
- He is permanently barred from re-entering Canada.
A 51-year-old Indian man, Jagjit Singh, who arrived in Canada on a temporary visa to visit his newborn grandchild, has been convicted of criminally harassing two teenage girls outside a Toronto-area high school.
Singh, who came to Canada in July on a six-month visitor visa, attracted attention after repeatedly lingering near the school's designated smoking area and attempting to approach young female students.
According to court records and media reports, Singh made several efforts to communicate with the students despite not speaking English. He often gestured to them and attempted to take photographs. The teenage girls stated that Singh's behavior made them uncomfortable, but at one point, they agreed to take a photo with him, hoping it would encourage him to leave. However, after the first photo, Singh gestured for another one and placed an arm around one of the girls, leading to her pushing him away.
Singh was first arrested on September 16 and charged with sexual assault and sexual interference. Although he was released on bail shortly after, police arrested him again the same day following a new complaint. When brought before the court, Singh denied the sexual interference charge but pleaded guilty to criminal harassment.
During sentencing, Justice Krista Lynn Leszczynski condemned Singh's actions, saying, “You had no business attending at the property of that high school. This type of conduct will not be tolerated.” Singh’s defense lawyer described his client’s experience in custody as “shocking” and “deeply distressing.”
Singh, who had planned to return to India on December 30, will now be deported immediately and permanently barred from returning to Canada. In victim impact statements, the girls described feeling betrayed and unsafe. One wrote that the incident changed how she views older men and newcomers of Singh's background, while another expressed fear and disgust over what Singh might have done with the photos.
