VANCOUVER – A judge has delayed releasing his decision on whether the mother and uncle of a B.C. woman who police believe was murdered in a so-called “honour killing” will be extradited to India.
Jaswinder (Jassi) Sidhu was found stabbed to death in Punjab in June 2000, and her mother, Malkit Kaur Sidhu, and uncle, Surjit Singh Badesha, are charged with murder and conspiracy in India.
The Crown alleged the mother and uncle orchestrated the murder because the 25-year-old woman married a poor rickshaw driver in India rather than the wealthy older man they preferred.
The two fought extradition, arguing there wasn’t enough evidence to force them to return to India.
B.C. Supreme Court Judge Gregory Fitch says he is presiding over a jury trial has run longer than expected, which means he isn’t prepared to release his ruling on the extradition as planned.
The ruling has been rescheduled to May 9, when Malkit Kaur Sidhu and Badesha are expected to appear by video.
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