Punjab-origin woman found dead in Canada, husband held for murder

Toronto, May 25

A 38-year-old woman has been found dead at her home in Canada’s Saskatchewan province with police arresting and charging her husband for the murder.

Sandeep Kaur Tehara was found deceased at her residence in Regina, when police were called to the home to check on the well-being of the people inside.

Police found Sandeep’s body inside the home on Sunday and subsequently determined that it was a homicide case.

Sandeep’s husband, Jagdish Singh Tehara, 39, has been arrested and charged with second-degree murder, the Regina Leader-Post reported.

The couple has two young children, who are reportedly staying with Jagdish’s brother, Pritpal Tehara.

Jagdish appeared in Regina provincial court on Tuesday, when the court heard he is seeking legal representation. He has been remanded in custody until his next court appearance on May 31.

The Sikh community is in shock after the murder. “(It’s a) shock for our community, the whole community,” Nirmal Kaur, president of the Sikh Society of Regina, was quoted as saying.

Jagdish and Sandeep Tehara lived in Regina for about 10 years, said Surender Grewal, a longtime member of Regina’s Sikh community. “We are all very shocked. Never, ever imagined that this could happen,” Grewal was quoted as saying.

Jim Azcueta, who lives close to the house where the body was found, said he woke up on Sunday morning just to see about a half dozen police cars and his neighbour’s house taped off.

“The first thing that comes to mind, like, something really serious happened. Probably a crime. I came out the door and I saw all the police standing right here,” he told CBC News.

The police service’s major crimes and forensic identification units are investigating the murder, as is the coroner’s office. PTI