Obstruction charge laid against councillor
Surinderpal Rathor allegedly interfered in 2012 RCMP investigation
Williams Lake’s mayor was “definitely surprised” to hear that the city’s longest-serving councillor has been arrested and charged with obstruction of justice.
Surinderpal Rathor, currently serving his seventh term on city council, was charged by the RCMP after a warrant was issued for his arrest.
According to a RCMP statement released on Thursday, the charge stems from a December 2012 criminal investigation in which Rathor was meant to assist police as a translator, but allegedly interfered with the investigation “beyond his role as translator.”
Williams Lake Mayor Kerry Cook heard the news from staff Thursday morning and had yet to hear from Rathor himself that afternoon.
“Definitely surprised — that’s for sure,” Cook told Vancouver Desi when asked for her reaction to the allegations faced by her colleague.
While Rathor is the first appointed deputy mayor, Cook said he hasn’t acted in that position for quite some time.
She added that he’ll remain in his city council position while facing the present allegations.
“There’s nothing in the city charter that disqualifies Coun. Rathor from being a city official,” said Cook.
Rathor has been released from custody under a number of conditions and a promise to appear at the Williams Lake courthouse Oct. 2.
“I am very troubled by today’s events, as is my family, I am taking this investigation very seriously and that’s all I can say at this time as it (is) before the court,” Rathor posted on Facebook. “Hope I’ll be able to say more in the future.”
According to Rathor’s website, he’s been awarded a number of commemorative medals for his community service, including the Queen’s 50th Golden Jubilee in 2002, the B.C. Community Achievement Award in 2005 and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee medal in 2012.
According to his Facebook page, Rathor graduated from Chandigarh, India’s Punjab University.