British Columbia

Radio India manager wants police protection

A prominent Indo-Canadian radio broadcaster from Surrey, B.C., whose home was targeted in a drive-by shooting early Monday morning is requesting police protection.
The home of Surrey broadcaster Maninder Gill was shot at early Monday morning. ((Steve Lus/CBC) )
A prominent Indo-Canadian radio broadcaster from Surrey, B.C., whose home was targeted in a drive-by shooting early Monday morning is requesting police protection.

Marinder Gill, 47, who is the station manager of Radio India, said he was upstairs sleeping with his family when he heard someone fire about 10 shots into the living room of his Panorama Ridge home around 12:30 a.m. PT

"I heard machine gun shots, multiple shots on my house, and … there is a big hole," he said. "It's not one gun. Maybe they used a couple of gun."

Nobody was injured, and no arrests have been made, but police said it was a targetted shooting, and they are investigating.

Gill is facing charges of aggravated assault and numerous weapons offences in connection with the shooting of Surrey builder Harjit Atwal in the parking lot of the Guru Nanak Sikh temple in Surrey during a wedding in August. He was released on $200,000 bail on Sept. 9.

Prior to the shooting, Atwal had filed a lawsuit against Gill and Radio India in which he alleged the station broadcast false allegations about his family and his public behaviour.

Gill said Monday's incident frightened his kids but did not surprise him.

"I'm not scared of anything," he said.

But despite the brave face, Gill said he wants police protection. He says he has been receiving threats for several months.

"I want police to protect me from these people," he said. "I've been receiving threats every day since March."