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A Regina man accused of trying to extort Saskatchewan Party MLA Gary Grewal allegedly threatened to spread rumours of adultery and/or sexual assault about the Regina Northeast MLA if he didn’t help the accused in an election.
The Regina Police Service said Friday that 36-year-old Harpinder Singh Bajwa had been charged with extortion after an investigation into something that took place in January of this year.
“The victim, an elected provincial government official, told police that he was approached by the suspect who asked the victim to support him in a local political election process,” police said in a release. “When the victim refused, the suspect threatened to cause harm to his personal and professional life.”
Gary Grewal. (Lisa Schick/980 CJME file photo)
Hours after the police release was issued, Grewal sent out a statement through the Saskatchewan Party saying he was the target of the alleged extortion attempt.
During Bajwa’s first court appearance Friday, Crown prosecutor Stephen Yusuff told court that Bajwa was allegedly seeking support from Grewal in an election for a position on the board of trustees of the Sikh Society of Regina.
Yusuff noted that Bajwa’s alleged threats against Grewal included spreading rumours of adultery and/or sexual assault.
According to the Criminal Code, a person can be charged with extortion if they use “threats, accusations, menaces or violence” to try to force someone to do something.
Grewal’s statement didn’t include any further details about the alleged incident.
“As this case is now before the courts, I will not be making any further public comment,” it read. “I want to thank the Regina Police Service for their efforts in investigating this matter.”
Bajwa was released from custody on the condition that he not attend Grewal’s workplace, residence or place of education.
Due to Grewal’s position as a politician, Judge James Rybchuk, the Crown and the defence acknowledged the possibility the two men could run into each other at things like public events, and therefore agreed that Bajwa couldn’t be within 10 metres of Grewal in case they do encounter each other.
Bajwa is specifically prohibited from attending Grewal’s office at 1912 Prince of Wales Dr., and from attending the Legislative Building.
Bajwa is to return to court Aug. 4.
Police said their investigation was continuing.
— With files from 980 CJME’s Daniel Reech
