Delta Police Department review uncovers ‘miscarriage of justice’
A “miscarriage of justice” occurred in a 2005 conviction of the gang rape of a 19-year-old woman, the province’s criminal justice branch announced Wednesday, following a Delta Police investigation.
Surrey resident Gurdev Singh Dhillon served four years in prison for a July 7, 2004 sexual assault perpetrated by two men. His appeal was dismissed in 2006.
But an independent external review was launched by the Delta Police Department in September 2011 after Crown Counsel learned of the existence of material evidence that had not been disclosed by the Surrey RCMP to either the Crown or defence at the time of Dhillon’s trial or his appeal.
“I recognize, and understand, that the general public will have concerns about this incident,” said Chief Superintendent Bill Fordy, the Officer in Charge of the Surrey RCMP. “I share those concerns and deeply regret the impacts these mistakes may have had on all those involved. As the Officer in Charge of the Surrey RCMP, I apologize for the mistakes that were made.”
Dhillon will now be presented with an opportunity to have his conviction set aside or file an application for ministerial review. Charges of sexual assault were approved Feb. 12 against new suspects: Mohammed Zaaid Ukhttar and Sital Singh Bhatti.
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