He’s currently serving a life sentence for murder, but a former Surrey high school teacher who murdered his pregnant wife in 2006 will not be re-issued his teaching certificate for at least 25 years.
Mukhtiar Singh Panghali was found guilty in 2011 of second-degree murder and interfering with a dead body in connection with the death of 31-year-old Manjit Panghali, who was also a teacher in Surrey. Her charred remains were found in South Delta five days after she went missing after attending a yoga class on Oct. 18, 2006.
Mukhtiar Panghali received a mandatory life sentence with no chance of parole for 15 years.
The B.C. Teacher Regulation Branch issued a citation in March 2013 and last month ruled the convicted killer will be subject to a 25-year teaching ban.
While the disciplinary panel does not have the authority to impose a permanent ban, the reasons for the decision say “the practical effect of this order would be a permanent ban because the actions of the Respondent have demonstrated that he could not meet the standards of good moral character and propriety which are required” to be considered for a teaching certificate.
The panel said the “grave conduct” of Panghali called for a “substantive penalty” to denounce his behaviour and maintain public confidence in the teaching profession.
At the time of the murder, Panghali was a teacher at Princess Margaret Secondary. During the trial, the court heard that he attended work the day after the murder to make it appear nothing was amiss.
He did not report Manjit missing until more than 24 hours after her disappearance and then held a tearful press conference with RCMP where he pleaded for his wife’s return.
