Angry in the Great White North

Paul Cheema: The suspicions born of evidence

When Paul Cheema, the prime suspect in the murder of his wife, Shemina Hirji, was found dead of a suicide, the story was essentially wrapped up.

Nevertheless, a lot of people seemed to think that Cheema was hounded by police who had no other suspects and so defaulted to the husband.

Not too long ago I spotted a news story that revealed why the police were interested in Cheema from the start.  It wasn't widely reported.

Paul Cheema, suspect in the murder of his wife Shemina Hirji, is found dead

A stunning development in the case of the murder of Shemina Hirji. The prime suspect in the case, husband Paul Cheema, has been found dead in the family home. Police have the house cordoned off and little else is being reported.

Paul Cheema's dramatically changing fortunes

Since the murder of his wife, Shemina Hirji, in an alleged home invasion, Paul Cheema has changed from devastated husband to prime suspect.

Well, for some observers, he was always the prime suspect, given the strange details of the home invasion story that he told police, and that police now believe is a fabrication.

Still, reviewing the latest news reports, you can see just how dramatically circumstances have changed for Paul Cheema.

Paul Cheema arrested in murder of wife Shemina Hirji while trying to flee the country

Husband of Shemina Hirji, Paul Cheema, is reported to have been arrested attempting to catch a flight to London. The Cheema family is alleged to have tried to give him cover for his getaway.

Update: Police are confirming the arrest of the "primary suspect" in the murder of Shemina Hirji.

Update: The arrested man has been released but remains a "primary suspect".

Paul Cheema's past violence against women revealed in Shemina Hirji investigation

Paul Cheema, the husband of murdered school principal Shemina Hirji, is not a suspect in the murder, insist police. He was attacked in the same home invasion that saw his wife murdered, but was not seriously harmed. Some suspect that there is something else going on here, and it has been revealed that Paul Cheema has a criminal past. Twelve years ago, he threatened his fiance with death and forcibly kidnapped her after the marriage was called off.

The credibility of the home invasion in the Shemina Hirji murder

Though there has been a lot of doubts raised about what actually happened in Burnaby, British Columbia, concerning the murder of Shemina Hirji, the home invasion reported by husband Paul Cheema is still credible. The description of one of the invaders wearing a business suit is not as far-fetched as some people might think.

Search warrant executed on the home of murder victim Shemina (Hirji) Cheema

Police have executed a search warrant in order to gather evidence from the home of Shemina (Hirji) Cheema, murdered during an alleged home invasion. A search warrant will prevent the admissibility of the evidence from being challenged in court. What does that say about the direction this investigation is taking?

A story of marriage, murder, family, and Sikhism, with a Canadian link

This is a fascinating story of an abused wife who had become a liability, a husband who arranged for her murder, the help he received from his family to commit the brutal deed, and the police work that uncovered the alleged plot. It links a Sikh family in Calgary and in India.

Anger over mixed marriages prompts promise of "dire consequences"

While the investigation into the murder of newlywed Shemina Cheema (formerly Shemina Hirji) continues under utter secrecy in Burnaby, British Columbia, the question of the possible role the mixed marriage into which she entered is being asked. The fact is, though, that mixed marriages between Sikhs, Hindus, and Muslims is a particularly sore point for many in their respective communities, given the history of violence in India and Pakistan where these religions meet. It did not take me long to find a story of a violent reaction in a Western nation perpetrated by those who are bringing that violence from the old country. It happened in Birmingham, England, only three weeks ago, and thankfully only resulted in property damage.

But in a post in a Sikh forum, "dire consequences" were promised if mixed marriages were allowed to be conducted.

Uneasiness surrounds the case of the murder of Shemina Cheema (Shemina Hirji)

The investigation into the murder of newlywed Shemina Cheema (formerly Shemina Hirji) continues, but the police are keeping every detail under wraps. Even the cause of death will not be discussed with anyone, not even the family. Meanwhile, the question of whether Shemina was targeted continues to be asked, with focus on the mixed marriage (Paul Cheema was Sikh, and Shemina was a Muslim). A quick perusal of message boards reveals that the majority of families angrily oppose these mixed marriages, and the news director of Vancouver-based Radio India confirms that those feelings are as prevalent in British Columbia as they are in India.

Two distinct views on murder of Shemina Hirji

A newlywed, Shemia Hirji, was murdered during a home invasion in British Columnia. Her husband, Paul Cheema, escaped with minor injuries. Random tragic violence, it seems, according to the English language press. But the problem is that the East Indian media outlets are calling this a possible honour killing.