A Surrey Sikh temple employee has been charged with sexually assaulting a teenage girl, according to the RCMP.
The incident allegedly occurred on January 6, 2021, at the Gurdwara Sahib Dasmesh Darbar temple in the 12800 block of 85 Avenue.
The accused, 47-year-old Hardeep Singh, was arrested on January 8 and has been charged with one count of sexual assault. He has since been released on conditions and is scheduled to appear in court on March 9.
The victim, who is under the age of 16, was known to the accused and was attending a religious event at the temple at the time of the assault.
The Surrey RCMP’s Special Victims Unit has been leading the investigation and is asking anyone with information to come forward.
“We understand that this incident may cause concern within the community, and we want to assure the public that we take these types of allegations very seriously,” said Sergeant Elenore Sturko in a statement.
The temple has also released a statement, expressing shock and disappointment at the allegations against one of their employees.
“We are deeply saddened by these allegations and are cooperating fully with the authorities in their investigation,” the statement read.
The temple has also stated that they have taken immediate action to ensure the safety and well-being of their community members.
The RCMP is reminding the public that anyone who has been a victim of sexual assault or knows someone who has been a victim can seek support through various resources, including victim services and counselling services.
This incident serves as a reminder for all institutions and organizations to have proper protocols in place to prevent and address any form of sexual misconduct. The Surrey RCMP is committed to thoroughly investigating all reports of sexual assault and holding perpetrators accountable for their actions.
