WARNING: This article contains details of abuse and suicide.
Two years after he murdered his wife, Maninderpreet Singh sees himself as the victim and has shown no remorse, the prosecution argued Friday as the killer was handed a life sentence and faces deportation after his release from prison.
Last October, 25-year-old Singh pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the death of his wife, Manpreet Kaur, who was also 25.
A Calgary court heard that Kaur suffered months of abuse at the hands of her husband that culminated in a two-day campaign of torture ending with her death on April 21, 2024.
Singh’s crime comes with an automatic life sentence.
Court of King’s Bench Justice Melanie Gaston accepted a joint proposal from Crown and defence for a 15-year parole ineligibility period.
In sentencing Singh, Gaston remarked on the vulnerability of Kaur, who was a newcomer to Canada.
“The circumstances and evidence reveal the victim’s distressingly isolated and terror-filled existence as the days and months of physical and emotional abuse she suffered at the hands of Mr. Singh culminated in her murder,” said Gaston.
‘No signs of remorse’
Singh, an Indian national who currently has no immigration status in Canada, faces deportation after he is released from prison.
In her sentencing submissions, prosecutor Janice Walsh reviewed two pre-sentence reports that analyzed Singh’s character, background and future risk.
In his meetings with a forensic psychiatrist, Singh painted himself as the victim.
“He was concerned about his future only and showed no signs of remorse,” said Walsh.
Marriage ‘filled with conflict’
Court heard that Singh grew up in a supportive and stable family, and that he and Kaur came together in an arranged marriage.
Their relationship, said Walsh, was “filled with conflict, domestic violence … unfounded, inaccurate and false accusations of infidelity.”
This pattern led to “a slow, inexorable march towards the victim being disconnected from family, supports, friends, employment and other life opportunities,” said Walsh.
Countless injuries
Police were called to the couple’s basement apartment on Redstone Common in the city’s northeast.
Officers found Kaur dead inside the unit, on a mattress in the living room.
Her blood stained the walls, floor, furniture, bedding and fridge. Large chunks of her long, dark hair were found throughout the home.
Significant and obvious injuries covered Kaur’s face, neck and hands.
Kaur had defensive wounds on her hands and arms from fighting for her life.
Singh caused so many injuries to his wife’s small frame they took two pages of the agreed statement of facts to list.
There were bruises and abrasions on Kaur’s face, nose and lips as well as deeper cuts to her chin, neck and ear. She also suffered multiple scalp hemorrhages and blunt force injuries to her chest and hips.
Singh left bite marks on Kaur’s back, shoulders, arms, hands, knees and fingers.
The fatal injuries came as the result of being strangled.
Kaur’s diary and handwritten letters revealed the young woman had suffered months of physical and emotional abuse at the hands of her husband.
Singh attempted suicide
Court heard that at the time of the fatal attack, Singh was addicted to opioids.
After he was questioned and initially released by police, Singh jumped from the third floor of Bow Valley College’s downtown campus. He suffered several injuries and spent months in hospital.
In his sentencing submissions, defence lawyer Nav Saini said his client was suffering from untreated drug use at the time of his wife’s murder and that his suicide attempt should be looked at as an “expression of guilt and remorse.”
‘The biggest mistake of my life’
Singh “is prepared to accept his punishment,” said Saini.
Singh was allowed to address the court and, through a Punjabi interpreter, called the murder “the biggest mistake of my life.”
“Whatever has happened, I am very remorseful for that,” said Singh.
“I killed somebody with my own hands. An innocent person’s life is gone.”
If you’re in immediate danger or fear for your safety or that of others around you, please call 911. If you’re affected by family or intimate partner violence, you can look for help through crisis lines and local support services.
Here are some mental health resources: