Three individuals of Indian origin have been convicted of first-degree murder by a court in British Columbia, Canada, in connection with the killing of a couple. The verdict was delivered by the British Columbia Supreme Court on Friday.
According to details received by The Chenab Times, the court found Gurkaran Singh, Abhijeet Singh, and Khushveer Toor guilty in the deaths of Arnold and Joanne De Jong, who were discovered deceased in their Abbotsford residence in May 2022. Justice Brenda Brown ruled that the three men played a willing and integral role in the murders.
The prosecution argued successfully that the murders were financially motivated. Defence lawyers had contended that the deaths resulted from a robbery gone awry, a claim rejected by the judge. Prosecutors presented evidence indicating that the three men had jointly planned to rob and kill the couple, subsequently stealing credit cards, cheques, and a power washer from the De Jongs’ home.
The convicted men, all in their twenties, were employed by a cleaning company owned by Abhijeet Singh. This company had previously performed services at the De Jongs’ residence, establishing a connection between the accused and the victims. During the trial, the accused had pleaded not guilty to two counts each of first-degree murder.
The victims were found in separate bedrooms within their home. Arnold De Jong’s head and face were found wrapped in duct tape, while Joanne De Jong had blood around her. Both victims’ hands and feet were bound with rope, suggesting a violent struggle or restraint.
Circumstantial evidence presented by the prosecution linked all three accused to the crime scene. This included DNA recovered from the location, rope allegedly used to tie Arnold De Jong, and a metal baseball bat discovered in the suspects’ vehicle. Phone data evidence also played a role, with prosecutors highlighting internet searches conducted by Abhijeet Singh after the killings were reported. These searches reportedly included inquiries into how murderers are punished in Canada.
The sentencing for Gurkaran Singh, Abhijeet Singh, and Khushveer Toor is scheduled to take place on May 28.
The Chenab Times News Desk