Ex-boyfriend one of two men charged in Maple Batalia murder
Posted December 1, 2012 6:54 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
SURREY (NEWS1130) – There has been a major development in the murder investigation of Maple Batalia, the SFU student who was gunned down in the parking lot at the surrey campus last year.
Gary Dhaliwal, her ex-boyfriend, is charged with first-degree murder. Gursimar Bedi, 22, is charged with manslaughter, accessory after the fact, and use of a fiream.
Rosie, Batalia’s sister, was at the police press conference on Saturday.
“I just wanted to say thank you on behalf of the family to the entire IHIT team, Surrey RCMP and the community which has shown us a lot of support,” she said.
“This isn’t an easy day for us. It’s very bittersweet. We’re just hoping Maple will be at peace.”
Bill Fordy with Surrey RCMP says the arrests were a culimination of countless hours of work.
“As the officer in charge of the detachment in Surrey, I can tell you that I knew that this day would come. I know that to be true because everyday we commit to ensuring that justice and the rule of law prevails.”
The beginning of what will likely be a lengthy court process officially begins on Monday for the two, during a first court appearance in Surrey.
Batalia was so popular, her funeral and the one-year anniversary of her death drew hundreds. A bursary has since been set up in her name.
The 19-year-old was already a model and was aspiring to become a doctor.
Batalia was shot to death in the morning of Sept. 28, 2011 as she left SFU’s Surrey campus after an evening of studying with friends.
