Surrey man who killed pregnant wife granted full parole
Posted October 18, 2023 12:59 pm.
Mukhtiar Panghali, the Surrey man who killed his pregnant wife in 2006, has been granted full parole, Parole Board of Canada documents show.
The documents say his parole was effective Oct. 6, 2023.
As part of the release, Panghali, who had been serving a life sentence for second-degree murder, is bound by special conditions, including following a treatment plan, not consuming alcohol, and having no contact with victim(s). He is also to report all relationships — sexual and non-sexual, including friendships with females — to his parole supervisor.
This comes after Panghali was granted day parole last year. That decision, announced in August 2022 and voted on by parole board members the month prior, was effective for six months.
Before day parole, he was allowed to be out on unescorted leaves from prison to spend time with family and work on reintegrating into society.
Panghali was arrested in March 2007 in connection with the murder of his wife, 31-year-old Manhjit.
She was last seen alive at a prenatal yoga class on Oct. 18, 2006. Her husband reported her missing just over a day later.
Evidence at trial showed Manjit had driven home where Panghali strangled her to death before moving and burning her body. Her remains were later found on a beach in Delta.
Her death shocked people across Metro Vancouver.
Panghali pleaded not guilty but was later sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for 15 years. His attempt to appeal his sentence was unsuccessful and Panghali later admitted to the murder, as well as his negative feelings toward his wife.
-With files from Srushti Gangdev
