4th arrest made in violent protests at Hindu temple in Brampton

A fourth person has been arrested following demonstrations that reportedly turned violent outside a Hindu temple in Brampton last weekend before spreading to Mississauga.

Peel Regional Police said in a news release that on Nov. 8, officers arrested 35-year-old Inderjeet Gosal of Brampton on charges of assault with a weapon.

The man was released on conditions and is scheduled to appear in the Ontario Court of Justice in Brampton at a later date.

This arrest follows a series of clashes that erupted during a protest outside the Hindu Sabha Mandir along The Gore Road on Nov. 3.  After the initial altercations in Brampton, the demonstration moved to the Westwood Mall area in Mississauga and then to Airport and Derry roads.

In addition, a Peel Regional Police officer has been suspended after social media videos and photos raised questions about his presence at the demonstration. Police confirmed the suspension but have not released the officer’s name, stating that an off-duty officer’s involvement is being investigated under the Community Safety and Policing Act.

The videos circulating on social media from the demonstration show individuals using flags and wooden poles to strike each other as tensions escalated between groups. Peel Regional Police have been investigating several offences captured on video, many involving physical altercations between protestors holding banners for Khalistan and others carrying India’s national flag.

Earlier last week, police arrested three other individuals believed to be involved in these incidents. Dilpreet Singh Bouns, 43, of Mississauga, was charged with causing a disturbance and assaulting a peace officer; Vikas, 23, of Brampton, was charged with assault with a weapon; and Amritpal Singh, 31, of Mississauga, was charged with mischief over $5,000. Another individual was detained during the protests on an unrelated warrant and was subsequently released.

Peel Police have established a Strategic Investigation Team to analyze hundreds of videos and continue the investigation. Authorities anticipate further arrests as they work to identify additional suspects involved.

Leaders across all levels of government condemned the violence, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier Doug Ford, who called the attacks on the temple “unacceptable,” stressing that all Canadians have the right to worship safely.

Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown said he will be bringing a motion to city council to look at prohibiting protests at places of worship.

Police are asking the public to share any video footage of the incidents to aid in the investigation. Submissions can be made via this link, and tips may also be provided anonymously through Peel Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).