Charges have been approved against Michael Husain, 30, Harman Parmar, 24, and Ashley Smith, 30, for kidnapping, forcible confinement, assault causing bodily harm and using a firearm in the commission of an offence. The name of the fourth person accused is not being released due to a court imposed publication ban. Smith, Husain, and Parmar have been held in custody pending their next court appearance.

By DESIBUZZCanada Staff

VANCOUVER  – Two South Asian men are among four facing charges of kidnapping.

Charges have been approved against Michael Husain, 30, Harman Parmar, 24, and Ashley Smith, 30, for kidnapping, forcible confinement, assault causing bodily harm and using a firearm in the commission of an offence. 

The name of the fourth person accused is not being released due to a court imposed publication ban.  

Smith, Husain, and Parmar have been held in custody pending their next court appearance.

The charges were approved by the BC Prosecution Service against four people in relation to a Vancouver Police kidnapping investigation from September.

“In August, Vancouver Police Property Crime detectives initiated a project into a group that was believed to be responsible for a series of armed home invasions and residential break and enters throughout Metro Vancouver,” says Constable Tania Visintin, VPD. “Detectives took the initiative to target this group and dedicated a significant amount of resources into the investigation.”

On September 8, four suspects kidnapped the victim from a vehicle at gunpoint in Richmond, B.C. The victim suffered significant, but non-life threatening injuries after being assaulted and restrained.

The victim was rescued by VPD officers and the four suspects were taken into custody following a brief pursuit.