Canada Calling: Surrey cop who died by suicide was under probe for texts to a minor, anti-Modi graffiti in Brampton

Recently unsealed court documents have now revealed that Hothi was being investigated by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) for sending inappropriate texts to a minor he had encountered while on duty. According to these documents, the 15-year-old girl disclosed to investigators that she initially met Hothi and exchanged numbers with him when he responded to a call for help from her friend. She further alleged that Hothi had attempted to meet her and had even sent text messages asking if she becomes “wild” after consuming alcohol.

“Hothi told [the girl] that he gets ‘wild and horny’ when he drinks,” the documents said.

She later reported the incident to the RCMP, who confiscated Hothi’s phones. He was arrested and suspended with pay pending the investigation. He died by suicide six months later, shortly after learning that Surrey Police Service was planning to issue a press release about him.

Anti-Modi Graffiti at Brampton’s Sri Bhagvad Gita Park

Brampton’s Shri Bhagvad Gita Park was vandalised Friday, with the park sign defaced by graffiti attacking India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi. The graffiti was swiftly removed, and the City of Brampton requested that Peel Regional Police investigate the incident.

“The City is deeply disappointed to learn about the recent act of vandalism targeting a park sign, which is an attack on a faith community. This matter has been promptly referred to the @PeelPolice for investigation and appropriate action,” the City announced via Twitter.

The City is deeply disappointed to learn of the recent act of vandalism targeting a park sign, which is an attack on a faith community. This matter has been promptly forwarded to the @PeelPolice for investigation and appropriate action.

At the City of Brampton, we stand united…

— City of Brampton (@CityBrampton) July 14, 2023

“At the City of Brampton, we stand united against acts of intolerance and discrimination. We proudly uphold our values of diversity, inclusivity, and respect for all, and we will not tolerate these acts of hate.”

Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown also condemned the incident and emphasized that his city is a safe place for people of all faiths. In an interview with a local Punjabi channel, he expressed, “You won’t find a city that is more dedicated to protecting religious freedom than Brampton… There must be zero tolerance for such despicable behavior.”

Last year, less than a month prior to the municipal elections, the mayor and council members renamed Troyers Park as Shri Bhagvad Gita Park. However, the next day, visitors expressed outrage upon noticing that the park sign was missing. Mayor Brown later clarified that it was not an act of vandalism but rather the city itself had removed the temporary sign, which had been brought in for the unveiling ceremony, in order to replace it with a permanent one.

The Gita park vandalism is the latest in a series of such hate-motivated incidents in the Greater Toronto Area. Just last week, a temple in Brampton had a provocative pro-Khalistan poster placed near it.

(Daksh Panwar is an Ontario-based journalist and broadcaster. Twitter: @Daksh280)