Raj Grewal Gurdwara Loans Trigger Lawsuits as Canada-India Finance Talks Land in Toronto
Toronto's South Asian community was at the centre of several significant developments in recent weeks, spanning a high-stakes legal battle linking former Brampton MP Raj Grewal and two prominent GTA Gurdwaras to a $15 million loan scheme, a landmark inaugural Canada-India finance ministers' bilateral dialogue hosted in the city, and community safety incidents that underscored both the vibrancy and vulnerabilities of Desi life in the greater Toronto area.
🗳️ Raj Grewal and Two GTA Gurdwaras Sued Over $15 Million in Loans
Mississauga-based lawyer and former Brampton MP Raj Grewal has been named in a lawsuit alleging that $15 million in loans were secured against two prominent GTA Gurdwaras — the Sikh Spiritual Centre Toronto (Etobicoke Gurdwara) and Brampton's Nanaksar Gurdwara — while Grewal and associated entities were carrying more than $200 million in total debt. Filed September 4 by Hamilton-based private lenders SSMT Management Inc. and Oculus Mortgage GP Inc., the suit also names Amarjit Singh Deol, president of both Gurdwaras, and treasurer Gurmail Singh Nirman. Interest-only payments at 24 per cent — $300,000 monthly — have been missed since May, leaving over $1.5 million in interest unpaid. The lawsuit holds Grewal personally responsible for the full $15 million. This case is one of roughly two dozen lawsuits Grewal and RSG Law are now facing. An additional troubling detail emerged: a $250,000 wire transfer from RSG Law's trust account was traced to the Sikh Spiritual Centre Toronto around the same period that a separate case involving approximately $6 million in counterfeit cheques deposited through RSG Law was unfolding. Grewal's lawyer declined to address the substance of the allegations, stating only that the matter had been 'resolved' — the same claim made in an earlier, separate case. [1]
Canada and India Hold Inaugural Finance Ministers' Dialogue in Toronto
Federal Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne hosted Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in Toronto for what the government billed as the Inaugural Finance Ministers' Economic and Financial Dialogue, a significant step in the cautious warming of Canada-India relations. The dialogue focused on economic development, financial sector cooperation, and shared international priorities, and was followed by a joint media availability. The meeting came just two days after Champagne had outlined Canada's plan to roll out dollar-for-dollar countertariffs on American goods, reflecting the broader context of shifting global trade alignments in which both Canada and India are exploring new bilateral partnerships. For the South Asian diaspora in the GTA — one of the largest concentrations of people of Indian origin outside India — the dialogue carries practical resonance: India remains the top source country for new permanent residents and international students arriving in Canada, and closer economic ties between Ottawa and New Delhi could shape investment flows, bilateral travel, and professional mobility. The meeting signals a meaningful diplomatic thaw after years of strain over allegations linked to the killing of a Sikh activist in Surrey, British Columbia. [3]
🤝 Toronto Tamil Community Centre Advances Toward Construction After Planning Approvals
A long-planned Tamil Community Centre in Toronto has cleared a critical planning hurdle after receiving city approvals, moving the project significantly closer to breaking ground. The centre would serve one of Canada's largest Tamil communities, concentrated primarily across the GTA, and represents a major institutional investment in Tamil cultural infrastructure. The planning approval signals that the project has satisfied zoning, design, and community consultation requirements, with construction timelines expected to be confirmed shortly. Toronto's Tamil community — numbering well over 200,000 across the GTA — has long sought a dedicated cultural space to host festivals, language classes, youth programmes, and diaspora outreach. The centre is expected to serve both Sri Lankan Tamil Canadians, who form the majority of the local Tamil community, and those with roots in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The project reflects a broader trend among South Asian diaspora groups in Canada: moving from rented multipurpose halls toward purpose-built community centres that can anchor cultural continuity for future generations. Ontario Construction News reported on the planning progress, underscoring the project's significance not only as a cultural milestone but as a substantial construction and real estate undertaking in the city. [4]
Suspect Made Anti-Sikh Slurs Before Stabbing Victim Near Toronto Waterfront
Toronto police are investigating a stabbing near the city's waterfront in which the suspect reportedly made anti-Sikh utterances and racial slurs before attacking the victim. The incident has been classified as a potential hate crime, with investigators examining the suspect's motivations and background. The case drew immediate concern from Sikh community organisations and civil rights advocates who have noted a disturbing pattern of anti-South Asian incidents in the GTA in recent years. Community leaders from the Sikh community called on authorities to treat the case with the full seriousness warranted by its hate-motivated nature, and urged witnesses in the waterfront area to come forward with information. The incident adds to a growing national conversation about anti-South Asian racism and the safety of visible minorities in Canadian public spaces. Organisations including the World Sikh Organization have repeatedly raised concerns with federal and provincial governments about rising anti-Sikh sentiment, particularly in the context of ongoing diplomatic tensions between Canada and India. For the city's large Punjabi-Sikh population — one of the most visible and economically active groups in the GTA — incidents like this serve as a sobering reminder that violence can follow community members even in urban public spaces. [5]
'Indian Psychic' Accused of Running Elaborate $800,000 Fraud in Toronto
An individual advertising services as an 'Indian psychic' in Toronto has been accused of orchestrating a sophisticated fraud scheme that allegedly netted approximately $800,000 from victims. Psychic fraud operations of this kind have historically preyed on vulnerable people in diaspora communities, including South Asian immigrants who may feel cultural familiarity with certain forms of spiritual practice, as well as non-South Asian clients seeking guidance during personal crises. The accused reportedly employed techniques typical of psychic fraud: claims of curses or supernatural obstacles afflicting the victim's family or finances, followed by escalating demands for money to perform remedies or rituals. Victims often part with savings over extended periods before recognising the fraud. Ontario's Criminal Code provisions on fraud and false pretences, along with Consumer Protection Act rules, provide the basis for prosecution. Community advocates have long urged caution around self-styled spiritual healers who solicit fees, particularly those who tie payments to removing alleged curses or misfortunes. The case is a reminder that fraud operations leveraging South Asian spiritual traditions continue to operate across Canadian cities, and that police reporting by victims remains the most effective means of accountability. Immigrant services organisations can assist newcomers who are unfamiliar with fraud reporting mechanisms. [7]
Sources: [1] The Pointer · [3] iPolitics · [4] Ontario Construction News · [5] CTV News · [7] INsauga