Justice is still elusive for Jassi

published by asingh on Tue, 05/13/2014 - 17:55

It could take up to another three years before the mother and uncle of an Indo-Canadian woman who was killed in an alleged honour killing 14 years ago, are sent back to India, legal experts said.

Extradition lawyer Amandeep Singh said if the duo appeal the extradition decision and challenge the ministerial surrender order, that is expected within 30 days, the case could end up in the B.C. Court of Appeal.

"And then they have the option of seeking leave to appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada should the appeal be denied," he said.

Jaswinder "Jassi" Sidhu, 25, was found slain in a canal in India's Punjab state in June 2000 when she was in the country in a bid to bring back her husband Sukhwinder "Mithu" Sidhu whom her family strongly disapproved of.

The BC Supreme Court ruled last week that there is enough evidence to extradite Jassi's mother, Malkit Kaur Sidhu, and her uncle, Singh Badesha, to India, where they have been charged with conspiracy to commit murder.

The extradition case was bolstered by testimony from Jassi’s co-workers and friends. Seven people in India have been convicted of conspiracy to commit murder in her death.

Harbinder Singh Sewak, who co-authored the book Justice for Jassi and set up the website justiceforjassi.com said he will continue to watch the case.

"This is just the first step towards extradition, there is still a long way to go," said Sewak who followed the story for more than a decade.

“We kept the website alive, we kept the story alive and we will continue to do so until there is justice for Jassi,” said Sewak.