Canadian Court Sentences Trio in UBC Golf Club Murder

In a recent ruling, a Canadian court has sentenced Balraj Basra, a man of Indian origin, to 25 years in prison for his involvement in a 2022 homicide case. The Supreme Court of British Columbia found Basra guilty of first-degree murder and arson, local media outlet City News reported.

The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team has confirmed that Basra is the third individual to be convicted for the murder of Vishal Walia, who was killed at a golf club on University of British Columbia lands. The tragic incident occurred on October 17, 2022. Two other individuals, Iqbal Kang and Deandre Baptiste, received their sentences earlier, according to a CBC report.

Kang received a sentence of 17 years in prison, along with an additional five-year concurrent sentence for arson, while Baptiste was sentenced to life without parole eligibility for 17 years. The three convicts were responsible for fatally shooting the 38-year-old Walia and then setting a vehicle ablaze, prompting a swift response from the police. The Vancouver Police Department, along with British Columbia Highway Patrol and the Richmond Royal Canadian Mounted Police, arrested the suspects shortly after the crime.