The Toronto Police Service is making the public aware of a male arrested in a hate-motivated anti-Muslim criminal investigation.

It is alleged that on Monday, August 24,  the accused attended a retail location in the Finch Avenue East and McCowan Road  area, the accused made anti-Muslim utterances prior to engaging with the victim , without provocation, the accused approached and assaulted the victim, the accused continued making anti-Muslim comments during and after the assault and the accused was located and arrested shortly after with a weapon. 

On August 25, the accused, Sharan Karunakaran, 31, of Toronto, was arrested and charged with possession of a Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose, offence Motivated by Hatred – Assault Causing Bodily Harm. 

He appeared in court at the Ontario Court of Justice, 10 Armoury Street, on Tuesday, August 25, at 9:30 a.m., in room 103.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-3505.

When suspected hate-motivated offences are reported to police, the investigation is led by the Hate Crime Unit (HCU).

If it is alleged a criminal offence was committed (such as assault or mischief) and it is believed to have been motivated by bias, prejudice or hate, the officer-in-charge may consult with the Crown. If a person is charged and convicted of the offence, the Judge will take into consideration hate as an aggravating factor when imposing a sentence.

Wilful promotion of hatred and advocating genocide are hate propaganda (hate speech) offences which require the Attorney General’s consent to lay charges. These charges are often laid at a later time.