Indian Man Convicted of Harassing School Girls in Canada Faces Deportation and Entry Ban

Singh approached young girls near a high school between September 8 and September 11

A 51-year-old Indian national visiting Canada on a six-month visitor visa has been convicted of criminal harassment involving two teenage girls outside their educational institution. Jagjit Singh, who traveled to Ontario, Canada, in July to visit his newborn grandchild, will now face deportation and a ban from re-entering the country.

According to police reports, shortly after his arrival, Singh began regularly visiting the smoking area outside a local high school in Sarnia, where he allegedly harassed and sexually assaulted young female students. Between September 8 and September 11, he repeatedly approached adolescent girls in this area, attempting to take photographs with them and engaging them in conversations about drugs and alcohol, as reported by Canadian media outlets.

The Winnipeg Sun reported that one of the victims informed authorities she initially declined having her picture taken but eventually agreed, hoping Singh would depart afterward. However, he reportedly invaded her personal space and attempted to place his arm around her. Feeling uncomfortable, the girl stood up and pushed his hands away.

Law enforcement officials stated that Singh, who is not proficient in English, persisted in his behavior and allegedly followed female students as they departed school grounds.

The Indian visitor was apprehended on September 16 and charged with sexual interference and sexual assault. He secured bail two days later but was rearrested following a new complaint from the same day. Though he received bail the subsequent day, he remained in custody for an additional night due to the unavailability of an interpreter.

On September 19, Singh entered a not guilty plea to sexual interference but admitted guilt to the lesser charge of criminal harassment in a Sarnia courtroom. The presiding judge emphasized that Singh had "no business attending at the property of (that) high school."

"This type of conduct will not be tolerated," Justice Krista Lynn Leszczynski declared.

Singh's legal representative informed the judge that his client had scheduled a return flight to India for December 30, but the judge mandated his deportation and prohibited his future entry into Canada.

Additionally, Singh received a three-year probation order forbidding him from communicating with either of the girls or entering locations where they reside, work, or attend school; from interacting with anyone under 16 years of age, with the exception of his newborn grandchild; and from approaching within 100 metres of any swimming pool, school, playground, park, or community center.