British ColumbiaBhupinder Singh Sonu was working at a Lower Mainland Khalsa school in 2023 when he was charged with six counts of sex crimes involving children. Two of the counts were stayed earlier this month, and a judge acquitted Sonu of the other four on Monday. Bhupinder Singh Sonu acquitted of 4 counts, 2 more counts stayedCBC News · Posted: Oct 23, 2025 4:26 PM EDT | Last Updated: October 23Listen to this articleEstimated 2 minutesBhupinder Singh Sonu was acquitted of two counts each of sexual interference and sexual exploitation. Another count of each offence was stayed. (Christian Amundson/CBC)A former B.C. teacher has been found not guilty on charges of sex crimes involving children, the B.C. Prosecution Service says. Bhupinder Singh Sonu was 40 years old and working at a Lower Mainland Khalsa school in 2023 when he was charged with three counts each of sexual interference and sexual exploitation involving three different complainants. Two of those counts — one of each charge type, both involving the same complainant — were stayed earlier this month, Sonu’s defence lawyer, Gagan Nahal, and a spokesperson for the B.C. Prosecution Service confirmed to CBC News.A judge acquitted Sonu of the other four counts, which involved the other two complainants, on Monday after a five-day trial in Surrey Provincial Court.“It was a long time coming,” Nahal said of the verdict. “It’s a decision he welcomes. Obviously he’s very happy and pleased with the decision.”Nahal said Sonu came to Canada from India on a work visa for employment as a teacher and priest. He is now a permanent resident of Canada. Conviction on any of the counts, Nahal said, would have meant a sentence of up to 14 years in prison and deportation.Sonu lost his job when he was charged, Nahal added. He no longer teaches and now works in a different field.A publication ban protects the identities of the complainants.
Former B.C. teacher accused of sex offences involving children found not guilty
