Indian-origin husband found guilty of '2006 pregnant woman's' murder

Ottawa, Feb 6 (ANI): An Indian-origin former British Columbia schoolteacher has been found guilty of murdering his pregnant wife in 2006.

Mukhtiar Panghali Singh was found guilty of murdering his wife, Manjit, and then burning her body to conceal evidence of the crime, the Globe and Mail reports.

The second-degree murder conviction carries a life sentence, but the court has yet to determine his parole eligibility.

Panghali sat quietly as Justice Heather Holmes read her verdict in the New Westminster Supreme Court on Friday.

By the time the ruling came to an end, Manjit's family members cheered and embraced each other.

"We were just relieved that this part of it is finally over and we can move on with our lives and we can start the healing process," the victim's sister, Jasmine Bhambra, said.

Bhambra, who now takes care of the couple's daughter, called Panghali a "sick and twisted and evil monster," and added: "Nobody should ever have to go through something like this. Although it's been difficult for us, it doesn't compare to the pain and horror that Manjit must have felt in her final moments, having her life taken away from her by the one person who was supposed to love and protect her."

Manjit Panghali was a Surrey schoolteacher, as was her husband. She was four months pregnant when she was strangled to death in October 2006. (ANI)