Toronto Man Charged in Suspected Hate-Motivated Assault on Transit Bus

Toronto Police have arrested and charged a man in connection with a suspected hate-motivated assault that took place aboard a public transit bus in Scarborough earlier this year.

Police say the incident occurred on April 13 in the Progress Avenue and Milner Avenue area. Investigators allege a man approached the victim on the bus, made several derogatory anti-Muslim remarks, and then assaulted the victim. The suspect and victim were not known to each other. The victim suffered minor injuries and the suspect left the bus following the incident.

On June 17, police arrested 36-year-old Thirukumaran Kandasamy of Toronto. He has been charged with assault and criminal harassment and is scheduled to appear in court on August 6 at the Ontario Court of Justice in Toronto.

The investigation is being led by the Toronto Police Hate Crime Unit. Police note that if an offence is found to have been motivated by bias, prejudice or hate, it can be considered an aggravating factor during sentencing upon conviction. Anyone with information is asked to contact investigators or Crime Stoppers anonymously.