Homicide investigators deploy to Surrey after man located deceased

SURREY – An Indo-Canadian wedding photographer and businessman – he and some partners recently bought the old Bollywood banquet hall in Payal Business Centre – was found dead after being brutally shot in the head with sources telling DESIBUZZCanada that his head was nearly off his body.

Although the police did not name the victim, he was identified immediately on social media and in Punjabi media as Binder Garcha and on Wednesday police also identified him as 46-year-old Baljinder “Binder” Singh Garcha of Surrey.

“He was seen praying at a Sikh temple 24 hours before his death, no joke,” a well placed source in the Indo-Canadian wedding photography business told DESIBUZZCanada about Garcha.

The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) has been deployed and assumed conduct of an investigation in Surrey after Garcha was located deceased. 

At approximately 12:05 pm on January 13, Surrey Police Service (SPS) officers responded to calls of a man lying near the street in the 3500 block of 176 Street, Surrey. Upon arrival, members located a man apparently suffering from gunshot wounds. Surrey Fire Services and BC Emergency Health Services (BCEHS) attended, and the man was subsequently pronounced deceased at the scene.

Shortly after 11:00 a.m. on January 13, SPS responded to a report of a vehicle fire around the 18900 block of 40th Street, Surrey. At this stage, investigators believe this to be related to the ongoing investigation.

IHIT is working in close partnership with SPS to advance the investigation.

Police said the investigation is in the very early stages and IHIT is working with SPS, BC Coroners Service and the Lower Mainland District Forensic Identification Service (LMD IFIS) to complete priority tasks.

In order to further the investigation, IHIT said they are identifying the victim as 46-year-old Baljinder “Binder” Singh Garcha of Surrey.

“It remains very early on in this investigation,” says Sukhi Dhesi, Media Relations Officer for IHIT. “Based on initial investigative steps, investigators do not believe there is a connection to the BC Gang Conflict and are working diligently to understand the circumstances that led to the death of Mr. Garcha. We are asking anyone with information to please come forward and speak with investigators.”

Investigators are looking for anyone with information, CCTV or dash camera footage from the 18900 block of 40th Street, Surrey from 11:00 am and 1:00 pm and from the 3500 block of 176 Street Avenue between 10:00 am and 1:00 pm on January 13, 2026. Anyone with information is asked to call the IHIT information line at 1-877-551-IHIT (4448) or by email at ihitinfo@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.