A British Columbia Supreme Court trial has delivered verdicts in the 2022 killings of Punjabi men Maninder Dhaliwal and Satinder Gill at a hotel in the tourist town of Whistler, about 180 km north of Vancouver.
One of the accused, Gursimran Sahota, has been found guilty of two counts of first-degree murder and sentenced to life imprisonment, with no possibility of parole for 25 years. The two sentences will run concurrently.
The second accused, Tanvir Khakh, was convicted of second-degree murder in the killing of Maninder Dhaliwal and sentenced to life imprisonment, with parole eligibility after 20 years. He was acquitted of the charge relating to Satinder Gill’s death.
The British Columbia Supreme Court proceedings were conducted under Justice Groper. The formal written decision, including other sentencing conditions, is expected to be released in October.
2022 Whistler Hotel Shooting
The incident took place on July 24, 2022, when police from the Sea to Sky region received a report of gunfire at a hotel in Whistler.
Police and emergency responders arrived at the scene and found Maninder Dhaliwal, 28, and Satinder Gill, 36, suffering from gunshot wounds. One of the two men was pronounced dead at the scene, while the other died later in hospital.
Police subsequently arrested Gursimran Sahota and Tanvir Khakh in connection with the killings. Both remained in custody during the legal proceedings.
According to the report, Dhaliwal was known to be involved in gang activity. Gill was a businessman who happened to be staying at the same hotel and was acquainted with Dhaliwal. The two men were together when the shooting took place.
Court Findings
A jury considering the case found Sahota guilty of two first-degree murder offences. He was sentenced to life imprisonment, with a minimum 25-year period before parole eligibility.
Khakh was found guilty of second-degree murder in connection with Dhaliwal's death. He received a life sentence and will be eligible for parole after 20 years. He was acquitted of the charge related to Gill's killing.
The final written judgment is expected to formally set out the remaining details and conditions of the sentences.
The case had remained before the British Columbia Supreme Court for four years following the killings.
Background
Dhaliwal's family had previously suffered other losses linked to gang violence. His brother Harpreet was killed in 2021, while another brother was also killed in gang-related violence later.
Gill was a businessman who was staying at the same Whistler hotel when the incident occurred. According to the report, he was with Dhaliwal when the shooting happened and was also killed.