A correctional officer of Jalandhar origin has come under investigation in Canada over allegations that she had a personal relationship with a Punjabi inmate and shared sensitive information with him while working at a Toronto jail. The allegations came to light during an investigation into an alleged plot targeting a senior prison official. However, the case is still in court, and both the officer and the inmate have denied the claims.
Identification of the accused
According to Canadian police, Nishwant Kaur Dosanjh's family is from Dosanjh Kalan village in Jalandhar district, Punjab. She lives in Abbotsford, British Columbia, and was working as a corporal at the Toronto South Detention Centre. The inmate, 32-year-old Gurpreet Singh, had moved to Canada from Punjab as a truck driver. Investigators later linked him to the alleged drug trafficking network of Ryan Wedding, one of the US' most wanted fugitives. Gurpreet has been in the Toronto South Detention Centre since October 2024 and is currently facing extradition to the United States.
Situation known to public
The details became public after the Ontario Superior Court allowed parts of a 563-page Information to Obtain (ITO) document to be released on July 3. According to the investigation documents, Nishwant and Gurpreet already knew each other before he was sent to the Toronto South Detention Centre. Investigators claim that after Gurpreet arrived at the jail, Nishwant arranged to work in the same tower and block where he was being held. They also allege that she spent a lot of time near his cell, which raised concerns among jail supervisors.
Allegations on the two
The ITO also claims that the two stayed in touch not only through the jail's official phone system but also through a contraband mobile phone allegedly used by Gurpreet. Investigators further allege that Gurpreet paid for expensive gifts, cosmetic surgery and overseas trips for Nishwant. Police have also alleged that Nishwant shared a photo of a senior correctional officer's vehicle licence plate with Gurpreet. Investigators believe that information was later used in plot targeting the officer. The case is now part of the wider Project South investigation by Canadian police.
Response to the allegations
Responding to the allegations, Nishwant's lawyer, Kim Schofield, said her client has been on paid leave since February and fully cooperated with the investigation. She said Nishwant gave investigators unrestricted access to her phone, denied any criminal wrongdoing or professional misconduct, and maintains that she is innocent.
Gurpreet Singh's lawyer, Brian Greenspan, also rejected the allegations. He said no charges related to this investigation have been laid against his client even after several months. He added that the case mainly concerns prison security and staff-inmate relationships, noting that the Toronto South Detention Centre has faced similar issues involving contraband and corruption in the past.
The case is still before the court, and the allegations mentioned in the investigation documents have not been proven.
