First degree murder, Arson causing damage to property
R. v. Basra
Sentence and the Crown's position
Crown askedLife, no parole for 25 years1
Judge imposedLife imprisonment, no parole for 25 years (first degree murder); 5 years concurrent for arson1
Both are life sentences, so the bars compare how long before parole can be considered.
What the law allows
MaximumLife imprisonment
Crown askedLife, no parole for 25 years
Judge imposedLife, no parole for 25 years
Defence askedLife, no parole for 25 years
Balraj Singh Basra was convicted by a jury of first degree murder and arson for an execution-style shooting in a public place in Vancouver, followed by the burning of the getaway car. On a joint submission, Justice Milman imposed the mandatory life sentence with no parole for 25 years, and five years concurrent for the arson.
In the judge's words
1This was an execution‑style killing at close range in a public place of recreation, which was followed by the burning of the getaway car to avoid capture. The offences displayed a callous disregard for human life and the safety of the community.
The record
- Convicted of
- First degree murder (CC 231(2))
- Arson causing damage to property (CC 434)
- Prior convictions
- 0 prior convictions1
- At the time of the offence
- Not stated1
- Defence asked for
- Life, no parole for 25 years1
- Mandatory minimum
- Applied1
- Appeal
- Not yet checked
- Counsel
- Crown: J.M. Robinson, M.D.E. Lefebure, M.R. Rygus
Defence: F. Mahon
Sources
- R. v. Basra, 2025 BCSC 2307 Court decision, CanLII, October 28, 2025
[2] The parties have made a joint submission on sentence. They agree that the appropriate sentence on Count 1 is the mandatory life sentence set out in s. 235 of the Criminal Code, R.S.C. 1985, c. C-46, with parole ineligibility to be set at 25 years pursuant to s. 745(a), with ability to apply for judicial review of the ineligibility period pursuant to s. 745.6(1).
[2] The parties have made a joint submission on sentence. They agree that the appropriate sentence on Count 1 is the mandatory life sentence set out in s. 235 of the Criminal Code, R.S.C. 1985, c. C-46, with parole ineligibility to be set at 25 years pursuant to s. 745(a), with ability to apply for judicial review of the ineligibility period pursuant to s. 745.6(1).
[2] The parties have made a joint submission on sentence. They agree that the appropriate sentence on Count 1 is the mandatory life sentence set out in s. 235 of the Criminal Code, R.S.C. 1985, c. C-46, with parole ineligibility to be set at 25 years pursuant to s. 745(a)
[1] THE COURT: Before the Court for sentencing is Balraj Singh Basra.
[10] I must also consider Mr. Basra's circumstances. He has no criminal record.
[7] This was an execution‑style killing at close range in a public place of recreation, which was followed by the burning of the getaway car to avoid capture. The offences displayed a callous disregard for human life and the safety of the community.
[13] Mr. Basra, please rise. I am sentencing you on Count 1 to imprisonment for life, as set out in s. 235 of the Criminal Code, with parole ineligibility to be set at 25 years pursuant to s. 745(a), with the ability for you to apply for judicial review of the ineligibility period pursuant to s. 745.6(1). … [14] On Count 2, I am sentencing you to a period of imprisonment of five years to run concurrently with your sentence on Count 1.
- R. v. Basra, 2025 BCSC 2307 Court decision, Courts of British Columbia