Editor’s Note: The charges against York Police Sgt. Gurdip Panaich were dropped in 2015. Ontario’s police watchdog now says Panaich was the subject of a “biased” extortion investigation conducted by Peel police. For more on that story click here.
TORONTO – A York Regional Police Officer is one of five people facing criminal charges in relation to an alleged extortion plot that was uncovered in Brampton.
Sgt. Gurdip Panaich, 39, of Brampton has been charged with extortion and obstruction of justice.
York police confirmed to Global News Panaich has been with the force since 2001. He has been suspended pending the outcome of this case.
Peel Regional Police say an investigation began in February after a Brampton real estate agent, identified as Dale Mundi, contacted police after information that Mundi said was false and detrimental to his reputation was circulating online.
“This dissemination of information was followed by demands for a large sum of money to have the information removed,” Peel police said in a statement.
Also facing extortion charges in the case are Inderjit Bains, 46, of Brampton, and Surjit Brar, 46, of Brampton.
Rajkanwat Mangat, 39, of Caledon, is facing a dozen firearms charges and Zorawar Mahal, 25, of Brampton, has been charged with criminal harassment.
Panaich is scheduled to make his first court appearance on April 2.