DRUG COUNSELLOR'S TRIAL BEGINS

A drug counsellor accused of prostitution-related offenses is in court
this week.

The trial of Jasbir Singh Dhaliwal began Monday in New
Westminster.

Dhaliwal has been charged in connection with an incident allegedly
involving a 16-year-old girl and a party at the office of a Surrey
counselling service Dhaliwal operates.

According to a police statement in July 2002, the investigation began
when the "Surrey RCMP vice section was contacted regarding allegations
that a 16-year-old girl performed at a stag party inside the office of
Basic Hope Society... the allegations involved drug usage and
prostitution."

Dhaliwal's lawyer at the time, Kuldip Chaggar, said the decision by
police to make the information public jeopardized his client's right
to a fair trial.

The trial is scheduled for five days.