Chandigarh: A Punjab-origin Canadian police officer and the head of the children’s charity KidsPlay Foundation, Kalwinder “Kal” Dosanjh, has been charged with fraud, theft and breach of trust. According to Canadian media reports, the 50-year-old officer was arrested in Surrey, British Columbia. His lawyers have denied the allegations and said that an arrest should not be treated as evidence of guilt.
The Vancouver Police Department said the charges followed a covert investigation that lasted about two and a half years. The department has scheduled a press conference for Friday morning, where Chief Constable Steve Rai and Superintendent Mike Ritchie, who led the investigation, are expected to provide further details about the case.
According to Damienne Darby of the BC Prosecution Service, Dosanjh faces nine counts. These include four counts of fraud over C$5,000, four counts of theft over C$5,000 and one count of breach of trust by a public officer.
A second man, 51-year-old Sarabjit Singh Gill, has also been charged in connection with the case. Gill faces six counts involving fraud and theft. Prosecutors allege that the offences occurred between December 8, 2017, and July 25, 2025, in Vancouver, Surrey and other locations across British Columbia.
Court records show that Dosanjh appeared at the Justice Centre and remains in custody pending his next court appearance. He is scheduled to appear at Vancouver Provincial Court on September 17, when a further date is expected to be set. The court has also imposed a publication ban on his bail hearing, which has not yet been scheduled.
Police are understood to have carried out searches at several locations as part of the investigation, including the Surrey offices of the KidsPlay Foundation. Dosanjh founded the organisation in 2015, and federal government records show that it became a registered charity in 2019. The records list Dosanjh as a director until 2025, while the organisation’s website continues to identify him as its chief executive officer.
KidsPlay Foundation is known for its work with at-risk and vulnerable children. Dosanjh has received several honours for his community work, including the King Charles III Coronation Medal and the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal.
Dosanjh has served with the Vancouver Police Department for more than 25 years and has held several positions during his career. He also worked as a senior detective in the department’s Financial Crimes Unit. His long service in law enforcement and involvement in financial crime investigations have brought additional attention to the charges.
His lawyers have strongly denied the allegations. In a statement, Alliance Lawyers said Dosanjh had committed no crime and was innocent of any wrongdoing. The law firm also stressed that an arrest or a report of an arrest does not by itself establish guilt, misconduct or criminal responsibility.
The Vancouver Police Department has not yet publicly disclosed detailed information about the alleged fraud, theft or the financial impact of the offences. Investigators are expected to provide additional details during the scheduled press conference, including the nature of the allegations and the evidence gathered during the lengthy investigation.
The case has also drawn attention because of Dosanjh’s dual public profile as a veteran police officer and a prominent community figure associated with a charity serving children. However, the precise circumstances surrounding the alleged offences and the roles of the accused are yet to be established through court proceedings.
For now, the allegations against Dosanjh and Gill remain unproven. Under Canadian law, both accused individuals are presumed innocent unless and until the allegations are established in court.
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About the author — Suvedita Nath is a science student with a growing interest in cybercrime and digital safety. She writes on online activity, cyber threats, and technology-driven risks. Her work focuses on clarity, accuracy, and public awareness.
