Toronto: An Indian-origin father and son have been arrested in Canada for sexually abusing and exploiting several teenage girls over a period of time. Gurpratap Singh Walia (56) and his son Sumit Walia (24), who ran a Hayden convenience store in Calgary, provided alcohol, e-cigarettes and drugs to girls who were not of the age of consent in exchange for sex. The Calgary Police Service Child Abuse Unit launched an investigation in April after police located a 13-year-old girl who had previously been reported missing.
The girl told the police that she was in a relationship with Sumit, who allegedly provided her with alcohol, drugs and e-cigarettes in return for sex. The incidents of sexual assault took place between December 2022 and May 2023 at Premier Liquor Wine and Spirits, owned by Walia and located next to the convenience store. Calgary Police said in a statement, “As the investigation progressed, officers discovered that the father and son were providing e-cigarettes, marijuana, cigarettes and alcohol to several other teenage girls who were sexually assaulted in their stores Was.”
Police arrested both suspects on Thursday and a search of a residence located in the 100 block of Panmount Close led to the seizure of seven handcuffs and 975 grams of cocaine valued at C$97,500. Searches at two stores seized a computer with child pornography, drugs and drug paraphernalia, contraband tobacco, e-cigarette cartridges and collapsible batons. Sumit Walia has been booked for one count each of sexual intercourse with a minor, sexual abuse, sexual assault, possessing child pornography, accessing child pornography, making child pornography and seven counts of illegal possession of a weapon.
He is also charged with one count of possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking, one count of extortion, three counts of racketeering, one count of selling contraband tobacco to youths and one count of violation of a court order. Gurpratap Singh Walia faces four counts of sexual assault, four counts of sodomy with a minor and one count of selling contraband tobacco. Sumit has already appeared in court on June 2, while Gurpratap is scheduled to appear in court on June 22. Victims are being supported by the Luna Child and Youth Advocacy Center which provides holistic support for children, youth and families affected by severe and complex abuse.
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