''Shy-natured'' Punjab-born man is top boss of Canada''s largest homicide probe team

Aakanksha N Bhardwaj
Tribune News Service
Mallpur (Nawanshahr), July 3

Amarjit Singh Chauhan was only 15 years old when he migrated to Canada from Mallpur village with his sister after the demise of his father.

There he came to be known as Dave Chauhan and is now in news since his elevation to the post of Chief of Canada's largest Homicide Investigation Team.

Dave, who was the main investigator in the infamous Jassi murder case and was also involved in the extradition of two accused in the case, did not get it all so easily.

In his earlier days in Canada, he used to distribute newspapers and worked at a food joint. 

His elder brother, Jaspal Singh, who lives alone here, was today surrounded by the villagers who were coming and congratulating him after the news broke.

The villagers with who Chauhan spent his childhood were elated. They all reminisced the time spent with Chauhan as the "shy-natured" kid.

They also remembered him as dedicated and the one who always believed in perseverance.

"I knew he would do something different. Even when he was a kid, he used to say that he would not settle for anything less and wanted to achieve big in life," said his brother, adding that, "Their father wanted the sons to be in the Air Force."

"Though we could not fulfill our father’s dream, my brother’s success has given us double happiness. Had my father been with us, he would have been very happy," said Jaspal. 

Jaswinder Kaur (75), one of their neighbours, said that Chauhan used to come to their home and would eat with them.

"Our village will now be renowned. Kisi ne ta naam ucha kitta, pind da aur sada maan vadhaya (Finally, someone from here has made a name and brought honour for our village and us)," Kaur said.

Surinder Singh another elderly recalled that Chauhan was always humble. 

Chauhan will head the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team, his adopted country's top murder investigation agency, replacing Donna Richardson, who is retiring after serving 30 years, finishing her career as head of the investigation team since 2016.

"I am humbled by this honour of leading an expert team of investigators and civilian staff and I look forward to working closely with our Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and Municipal Police partners," Chauhan said in a statement.

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh also congratulated Dave on his new job.

"A great feat which has made all of us here in Punjab proud. The contributions of Punjabis the world over are indeed exemplary," Amarinder Singh tweeted.