Former mayor Basran to face sexual assault charge

A special prosecutor has been appointed to investigate an allegation of sexual assault involving Colin Basran.

The incident is alleged to have occurred in May 2022, when Basran was still mayor of Kelowna.

The prosecutor was appointed on Oct. 13, two days before the municipal election on Oct. 15.

The province’s Assistant Deputy Attorney General Peter Juk appointed Brock Martland as the Special Prosecutor, because he considered it in the public interest given the circumstances.

“The appointment of a Special Prosecutor is intended to avoid any potential for real or perceived improper influence in the administration of justice considering the nature of the allegations and the identity of the accused as an elected municipal official,” a media statement from the B.C. Prosecution Service read.

An investigation by the Kelowna RCMP has already occurred, and the findings were independently reviewed by the Nelson Police Department.

Martland has approved a single charge of sexual assault against Basran.

He will first appear in court on Jan. 24, 2023.

The announcement of the appointment of the special prosecutor was postponed until the investigation was complete and the charge was approved.

While the prosecutor was appointed on Oct. 13, a media release did not say why the news of the appointment was announced on Dec. 7, nor did it provide any details regarding the investigation or complainant.

Kelowna10 has reached out to Basran’s legal council for a statement.