Indian Man Convicted of Murdering Wife in Canada Just Days After Arrival

In a shocking case, an Indian national has been convicted of second-degree murder for the fatal stabbing of his wife just days after arriving in Canada. The incident occurred in Abbotsford, where the couple had been living together. The court found that Jagpreet Singh intentionally killed Balwinder Kaur, leading to a tragic end to their 20-year marriage. Singh's defense claimed self-defense, but the judge rejected this narrative, citing inconsistencies in his testimony. As Singh awaits sentencing, the case raises serious questions about domestic violence and immigrant experiences in Canada.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 3, 2026, 08:57 IST

Tragic Incident in Abbotsford

A man from India has been found guilty of second-degree murder after fatally stabbing his wife shortly after arriving in Canada. This tragic event marks a devastating conclusion to their two-decade-long marriage. The British Columbia Supreme Court delivered the verdict, with Justice Andrea Ormiston determining that Jagpreet Singh intentionally killed his 41-year-old spouse, Balwinder Kaur, in their rented basement suite in Abbotsford on March 15, 2024. Reports indicate that Kaur sustained seven stab wounds to her neck and chest, leading to her death from significant blood loss.

Details of the Incident

Singh had moved to Canada on March 9, 2024, to join Kaur, who had relocated to British Columbia in 2022 to support their daughter during her university studies. On the night of the incident, the couple attended a Sikh gurdwara and later went shopping before returning home via Uber around 9:30 p.m. Prosecutors stated that Kaur was murdered within an hour of their arrival. A neighbor discovered her lying in the doorway, surrounded by blood, while Singh was found sitting on a sofa nearby. Emergency services transported Kaur to Abbotsford Regional Hospital, where she was declared dead shortly after midnight, and Singh was arrested at the scene.

Singh's Defense Claims

During the trial, Singh acknowledged that he stabbed his wife but contended that he acted in self-defense after she allegedly threatened him with a knife during a dispute over his job search. He testified that he had struck Kaur during the argument before attempting to apologize. According to his account, she grabbed a knife, and while trying to disarm her, he accidentally stabbed her. Singh claimed he could not recall the subsequent stabbings and argued that he acted out of sudden provocation. His defense sought a lesser charge of manslaughter.

Judge's Ruling

Justice Ormiston dismissed Singh's narrative, labeling his testimony as "untrustworthy and unreliable." She stated that his evidence did not create reasonable doubt regarding his intent to kill and highlighted significant inconsistencies in his account of the events leading up to and during the attack. The judge also evaluated the possibility of self-defense but concluded that the evidence did not support such a claim. She noted that even according to Singh's version, he had already disarmed Kaur before stabbing her multiple times. "The Crown evidence establishes that he then proceeded to stab her repeatedly," Justice Ormiston remarked, emphasizing that there was no reasonable basis to assert he acted in self-defense.

Next Steps in the Case

Singh is expected to return to court in October to confirm the completion of a psychiatric evaluation, although a sentencing date has yet to be set. Court documents revealed that Kaur had played a crucial role in sponsoring Singh's successful visa application after his initial attempt to immigrate to Canada was denied. She had been residing in Abbotsford and had arranged for him to stay with her upon his arrival.