3rd June 2023, Mumbai: Canadian police have detained and accused an Indo-Canadian father and son team of sexually abusing multiple adolescent females over a lengthy period of time.
They were identified by Calgary police in the Canadian province of Alberta as Gurpartap Singh Walia, 56, and Sumrit Walia, 24. The several involved females were not of legal consenting age.
The Calgary Police Service Child Abuse Unit launched the investigation after a missing girl was found in April of this year. She disclosed to them that she was dating a 24-year-old male who is accused of giving her drugs, booze, and vapes (e-cigarettes) in exchange for sex.
The alleged attacks allegedly took place next door at Premier Liquor Wine and Spirits and Haddon Convenience Store, both of which were owned and run by the same couple.
According to a press release from Calgary Police, the investigation revealed that the father and son were selling booze, cigarettes, marijuana, and vapes to numerous other adolescent girls who had been sexually assaulted at the establishments. Between December of last year and this past May, the occurrences are thought to have taken place.
The two were detained on Thursday, and a search of a house related to them led to the discovery of 975 grammes of cocaine, which has a street value of $97,500 (or around 60 lakh rupees), as well as seven pistols.
Additionally, police raided their businesses and seized a computer with child pornography, drugs and drug paraphernalia, illegal tobacco, vape cartridges, and collapsible batons.
Staff Sergeant Darren Smith of the Calgary Police Service Child Abuse Unit said, “These are incredibly serious charges, where vulnerable youths were being targeted, exploited and forced to enter a dangerous lifestyle.”
Sumrit Walia is charged with numerous offences, including one count of sexual interference with a minor, one count of sexual exploitation, one count of sexual assault, one count each of possessing child pornography, accessing child pornography, and producing child pornography, seven counts of illegal firearm possession, and one count each of possessing a controlled substance with the intent to traffic.
Four counts of sexual assault and four counts of sexual interference with a minor are among the accusations that his father is facing.
The Luna Child and Youth Advocacy Centre, which offers comprehensive help to children, teens, and families who have been affected by severe and complex abuse, was mentioned in the press release as providing assistance to the victims.