Man charged with murder in cough syrup poisoning death also accused in organized crime kidnapping
Mohit Sandhu, 23, charged with murder, attempted murder earlier this week
A southern Alberta man charged in the fatal poisoning of a teenager in 2020 is also accused of orchestrating an organized crime, drug trafficking-related kidnapping.
Mohit Sandhu, 23, is charged with first-degree murder in the 2020 death of Sahil Grewal, 18, who died in hospital three days after consuming a mix of fentanyl and cough syrup.
But police allege the intended target of the poisoning was Jaskaran Sidhu, a man who was recently handed a life sentence for his role in the 2019 first-degree murder of two men.
For his alleged failed effort to kill Sidhu, Sandhu faces a charge of attempted murder.
On Friday, Sandhu was back in court as his trial continued on charges related to the 2023 kidnapping of Hamza Yassin.
Sandhu faces charges of instructing an indictable offence, robbery and extortion. He is alleged to have orchestrated the kidnapping.
Details of the crime come from decisions issued by Justice Margaret Keelaghan on the admissibility of evidence in the kidnapping trial.
$50k ransom
On July 4, 2023, Yusuf Yassin called police to report his brother Hamza Yassin had been kidnapped.
While he was on the phone with police, three masked men entered the Airbnb condo where he'd been staying with Hamza and hit Yusuf on the head with the butt of a handgun, punching him until he lost consciousness, according to facts of the case determined by Keelaghan.
When Yusuf regained consciousness, he contacted police again.
Yusuf, another brother, Tariq Yassin, and police worked to get Hazma freed.
A $50,000 ransom was negotiated between Tariq and the kidnappers.
"The communication involved a direction to send money to Sandhu's lawyer's account and that money was sent to the lawyer's account," reads part of Keelaghan's earlier ruling.
'No allegation of wrongdoing'
The Crown alleges $50,000 was sent to Beresh Law on July 5, the day after Hamza was kidnapped.
Sandhu is currently represented by defence lawyer Kristofer Advent, who is with Beresh Law and says the receipt of ransom money has not been established as evidence.
"There is no allegation of any wrongdoing by Baresh law," said Advent.
Hamza was ultimately released.
A year after the incident, police charged four men, including Sandhu.
Alleged target serving murder sentence
The three others — Salah Aden, Mustafa Saeed and Brandon Power — all face kidnapping, firearms, robbery and assault charges but are being tried separately.
Prosecutor Donna Spaner has not yet called Hamza to testify. The trial is set to continue next week.
Last December, Jaskaran Sidhu, the man alleged to be the target of the fatal fentanyl/cough syrup mixture, and a co-accused, were each convicted on two counts of first-degree murder.
Jasdeep Singh, 25, and Japneet Malhi, 22, were fatally shot after leaving the Mazaj Lounge just after 2 a.m. on April 3, 2019.
Sidhu and Prabhjyot Bhatti are now serving life sentences.
Sandhu has had other matters before the courts.
Last year, a charge of criminal harassment was withdrawn after Sandhu pleaded guilty to uttering threats. He received a suspended sentence and was placed on two years' probation.
In 2023, Sandhu pleaded guilty to obstructing a peace officer and was handed a 15-day sentence.
He was accused of trafficking fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine in 2021 but was acquitted of those charges in 2023.
Sandhu will be back in court on his murder and attempted murder charges next week.
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