Canadian Indian School Principal Victim of Malicious Prosecution

Canadian Indian school principal Sanjiv Kumar was charged with sexual assault and sexual exploitation in June 2020.

He was a principal at Frederick Banting International School in Brampton and the allegations were widely reported as being related to a 16-year-old female student at the school.

The then-54-year-old, who is also known as Sanjiv Dhawan, was later released on an undertaking and appeared at the Ontario Court of Justice in Brampton on August 24, 2020.

Mr Kumar denied the allegations at the time, writing in a Facebook post:

“I was shocked to learn last night that I was being charged with a criminal offence in relation to one of my students.

“To all my family, friends and former students: Please rest assured that these allegations are false. I look forward to clearing my name in the courts over the coming weeks.”

He also took a leave of absence from the school.

Significant legal developments on July 7, 2024, saw Mr Kumar file an application for apprehension of bias against the Honorable Justice G.P. Renwick.

Following this, Justice Renwick disqualified himself from the case and recused himself due to the apprehension of bias concerns raised.

Mr Kumar also filed an application against Assistant Crown Attorney Sarah Burton, alleging malicious prosecution and seeking her removal from the matter.

Before the Ontario Court of Justice could hear the application, Ms Burton was removed from the case.

On September 4, 2024, the charges against Mr Kumar were stayed by the Honorable Justice M.C.T. Lai.

A stay of charges means the prosecution has been halted, and the matter will not proceed further unless specific legal conditions arise.

Following the stay of charges, Mr Kumar initiated legal proceedings against Peel Regional Police and Officer Bruce Thomson.

He is seeking damages amounting to $65 million, alleging harm caused by their actions during the investigation.

Mr Kumar has also formally notified the Attorney General of Ontario of his intent to sue for malicious prosecution.

His notice references the following legal actions:

• The application he filed against Justice G.P. Renwick and his subsequent recusal from the matter on July 7, 2024.
• The application he filed against Assistant Crown Attorney Sarah Burton for malicious prosecution and her removal and her subsequent removal from the matter.
• The charges against him being stayed by the Honorable Justice M.C.T. Lai on September 4, 2024.
• His lawsuit against Peel Regional Police and Officer Bruce Thomson seeking sixty-five million dollars in damages.
• His notice to the Attorney General of Ontario regarding his intent to sue for malicious prosecution.

Representatives of Mr Sanjiv Kumar have contacted the media about the updates in this case further to the initial reporting and have requested ‘the public record is corrected to reflect the full truth of his situation’.