Last Friday, the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team arrested Parminder Singh Basran, who is charged with second-degree murder, and Bhabjit Singh Aujla, who is charged with manslaughter and accessory after the fact.
SURREY – Two Indo-Canadian men have been arrested again in the nine-year-old murder of Amandeep Bath.
Last Friday, the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team has now re-arrested 28- year-old Parminder Singh Basran, who is charged with second-degree murder, and 29-year-old Bhabjit Singh Aujla, who is charged with manslaughter and accessory after the fact.
On Sept. 23, 2004, Bath was out with friends, and on the way home, when he was confronted by an acquaintance. Bath took off in his vehicle and called 911.
Basran and Aujla then followed behind Bath in their vehicle. Both vehicles came to a rest in the 9100 block of 125 Street in Surrey. At this location the confrontation ensued between the two suspects and Bath and ended when the victim was shot and killed at this location.
As Bath had placed a 911 call, the Surrey RCMP were on scene quickly which resulted in locating and arresting one of the suspects. The second suspect was identified and arrested a few days following the homicide.
Both Basran and Aujla were charged with homicide-related charges. However, charges were stayed in 2005 as Crown concluded evidence did not support a prosecution.
In 2012 the IHIT Cold Case Unit was formed and this was their first assigned investigation. After an exhaustive review of the case, additional evidence was obtained and the threshold for charge approval has been met.
“Nine years ago, 27 year old Amandeep Singh Bath was murdered and his family’s life changed forever,” said Kevin Hackett, Officer in Charge of the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team.
“I would like to let the community know that arrests have been made today, and charges secured against, 28 year old Parminder Singh Basran , who is charged with Second Degree Murder, and 29 year old Bhabjit Singh Aujla, who is charged with Manslaughter and accessory after the fact.”
Both men are currently in custody and scheduled to made their first appearance in provincial court on Monday September 23rd.
“I would like to acknowledge the commitment and dedication of the members of IHIT and specifically those of our “Cold Case unit” who worked very hard over the last year and a half investigating this murder and presenting new evidence to Crown Counsel,” Hackett said.
“In most investigations our investigators forge strong bonds with our victim’s family and this was certainly the case here. Amandeep’s family has shown tremendous patience, trust and faith in us. Thank you for that. We hope that this result eases some of the pain and answers some questions.”
“My thoughts today are with the members of the Bath family. I know that this has been a, long and painful journey. My hope is that these arrests will help bring some form of resolve to them,” said Chief Superintendent Bill Fordy, Officer in Charge Surrey RCMP.
“This great work by the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team is a demonstration that we never put these cases to rest. I am very proud of them.”
Bath’s aunt, Kamaljit Khela, told the Vancouver Sun the family never gave up hope that they would get justice one day.
“We are overwhelmed. We are overjoyed,” she said, thanking IHIT investigators for their efforts on the case.
“His loss has left a big whole in our hearts that can never be repaired,” Khela said.
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