World news | Suspected robber of Indian origin responsible for fatal accident that killed Indian couple and grandson in Canada: report

Toronto, May 9 (PTI) A 21-year-old robbery suspect was killed in a head-on crash in Canada that also killed an Indian couple and their three-month-old grandson as he fled from police, according to reports in the media, he was charged with speeding in the wrong direction for two other liquor store robberies.

The crash killed Manivannan Srinivasapillai, 60, Mahalakshmi Ananthakrishnan, 55, from Chennai and their three-month-old grandson, Aditya Vivaan. The boy’s parents – Gokulnath Manivannan and Ashwitha Jawahar – survived the crash.

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The collision occurred on April 29 after a police chase that began with the alleged robbery of a liquor store in Bowmanville, Ont., in the Clarington Regional Municipality. Police chased the suspect as he drove the wrong way on Highway 401 in Whitby, about 50 kilometers east of Toronto.

Gagandeep Singh was behind the wheel of the U-Haul truck that crashed into a tractor-trailer truck on the highway. Singh was pronounced dead at the scene, the Toronto Star newspaper reported.

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Gagandeep Singh was facing three charges of theft under 5,000 Canadian dollars and one charge of theft in connection with an alleged theft between January 15 and February 27. The charge, according to court documents, included the use of force against one man at an Oakville LCBO (Liquor Control Board of Ontario).

The passenger in the van, Manpreet Gill, 38, remains in the hospital and has not been charged in connection with the crash, according to the attorney who represented him when he was previously charged.

According to the release order signed by a Hamilton justice of the peace based on Singh’s previous charges, he was to remain with a named surety, who promised $2,000 to secure his release and was ordered not to go to LCBO or Home Depots in the province to go. . He had to appear in court again on May 14.

Singh’s criminal history has sparked outrage from some, including federal Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre, who say a stronger bail system could have prevented the deaths. But those arguing for bail in court say the release appears reasonable given what was known at the time.

Toronto criminal lawyer Daniel Brown said that despite the tragic outcome of the crash, Brown said it is not surprising that Singh was released on bail for “relatively minor” offenses before the fatal collision.

All of these charges were still outstanding at the time of his death.

India has long accused Canada of welcoming and harboring criminals.

Meanwhile, a funeral was held for the baby boy on Wednesday.

“We are left with no words to describe the pain and vacuum in our hearts knowing that we will never be able to hold in our hands our child Aditya Vivaan, who has given us so many precious memories in such a short time,” said Gokulnath. a statement on behalf of his wife and released Monday by Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit.

“His little toys and clothes are scattered around our house, and we don’t have the courage to even enter our house, which is filled with the memories of our only son.” Gokulnath’s parents had arrived from India just two days before the deadly crash and were in the country to spend time with their new grandchild.

“The pain of my own injuries pales as I struggle with the shock and loss of my parents and my only son on the same night, and the ordeal continues with my wife’s continued suffering through surgeries and repeated flashbacks of the trauma,” said Gokulnath. “The aftermath has left an indelible mark on our lives, with deep sadness.”

He said his parents were cremated on Monday.

The baby’s service was held at Chapel Ridge Funeral Home in Markham. In a copy of Aditya’s eulogy, he was remembered as a “beautiful soul” who was taken from his loved ones “far too soon.”

“It feels like yesterday that Gokul (his father) called us and said his son is here. The favorite of our family. Aditya Vivaan,” CTV News quoted Brinda, the child’s paternal aunt, as saying.

Adi, Brinda said, came into their lives on Jan. 24 and brought “so much joy, love and happiness.”

Adi was the happiness and lifeblood of his family, she said, with his “toothless grin and dimpled smile that lit up (his parents) world whenever they were around.” The SIU is investigating the crash after the driver of the van, a 21-year-old man, was killed and a 38-year-old man in the passenger seat was seriously injured. PTI

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