Laibar case hinges on Appeal

Sustained efforts of Supporters of paralyzed refugee claimant Laibar Singh have been able to win an extra week to launch a appeal to immigration officials to allow him to remain in Canada for a year.

Mr. Laibar, a paralyzed Sikh, was being deported to India when he was taken forcibly out of custody of Police notably by his Sikh supporters. His supporters furnished a $50,000 bond to retain him in Canada. The bond is expiring today, March 10. In the meanwhile, his supporters appear to have lost the initial interest shown in retaining him and he is being shifted from one Gurudwara to another. Presently he is living at Guru Nanak Sikh Temple in Surrey.

His supporters are appealing that he needs an extra year in this country to recover further from a crippling aneurysm he suffered in 2006. Faith St. John, spokeswoman for the Canada Border Services Agency could not confirm the week's extension of the bond, but added the deportation order remained in effect.

Laibar Singh is widower with two children still in India. He came to Canada in 2003, claiming refugee status because of alleged persecution at the hands of state police in India. Canadian immigration rejected the claim several times. Facing deportation in 2006, he went underground only to resurface in hospital in British Columbia two months later after suffering the aneurysm, which left him unable to walk or feed himself.

His supporters have been insisting that he be allowed to stay in Canada at least till he recovers from his injuries. All legal avenues have been tried but nothing worked.