Parminder Singh Basran And Bhabjit Singh Aujla Were Sentenced To 6 Years And 11 Months In The Killing Of Amandeep Bath!

Parminder Singh Basran pleaded guilty to manslaughter in B.C. Provincial Court in New Westminster and Bhabjit Singh Aujla pleaded guilty to assault on March 3 in the senseless killing of Amandeep Bath. Basran was sentenced  to 6 years while Aujla was sentenced today to time served, which equated to 11 months in custody. “IHIT’s cold case team consists of highly skilled investigators who have provided justice to families who have tragically lost loved ones.  Mr. Bath’s homicide was the first investigation that IHIT’s cold case team assumed conduct of in 2012.  As a result of the dedication and compassion that each IHIT investigator displayed throughout the years, today, nearly 13 years after the death of Mr. Bath, we are seeing accountability and justice served,” said S/Sgt. Jennifer Pound.

SURREY – The family of Amandeep Bath has been waiting 13 years for justice in their son's 2004 murder and this week two Indo-Canadian men charged with Bath's murder changed their pleas and pleaded guilty and are set to be sentenced in the killing.

Parminder Singh Basran pleaded guilty to manslaughter in B.C. Provincial Court in New Westminster and Bhabjit Singh Aujla pleaded guilty to assault on March 3.

Basran was sentenced  to 6 years while Aujla was sentenced today to time served, which equated to 11 months in custody.

“IHIT’s cold case team consists of highly skilled investigators who have provided justice to families who have tragically lost loved ones.  Mr. Bath’s homicide was the first investigation that IHIT’s cold case team assumed conduct of in 2012.  As a result of the dedication and compassion that each IHIT investigator displayed throughout the years, today, nearly 13 years after the death of Mr. Bath, we are seeing accountability and justice served,” said S/Sgt. Jennifer Pound.

Bath's family, including his grief stricken mother, released a statement through police, saying they are satisfied that the killers have accepted their guilt after 12 years.

"Amandeep is deeply missed every day by our family, he did not deserve to die at such a young age. We are thankful to all of the hard work and dedication devoted by IHIT, the Cold Case team and Crown Counsel to Amandeep's case. Because of the compelling evidence put forward, the two accused finally admitted their guilt over 12 years after committing this gruesome crime. We thank all of you for not forgetting Amandeep, and fighting alongside us to bring him justice," Bath's family said in a statement.

The new pleas promise some closure to the first file taken on by the newly formed Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) cold case unit in 2012.

"Mr. Bath was described as a very gentle individual, a very nice person and he didn't have any history with the police," said IHIT spokesperson Cpl. Meghan Foster. 

"It's been a very long journey," victim's cousin, 28-year-old Harp Khela told CBC News."It's difficult to even gauge how we feel…at least we're leaning towards some sort of justice."

27-year-old Amandeep Bath was out with friends on the night of Sept. 23, 2004 when he was confronted by an acquaintance. Bath called 911 and drove away.

He was followed and stopped near the 9100 block of 125 Street in Surrey — where he was found shot.

"It never really came out what the reason was [for his murder]. I don't know what the real reason was," said Khela, describing Bath as a quiet, hardworking accounting student who was the only child of a single mother.

"I mean if you go to Amandeep's house, it's still the way he left it. His bedroom is still the way he left it. His mom was a single mother…her life just froze from that day forward."