'That just sounded ridiculous,' daughter of group leader in Burlington mansion tells court of allegations against her father

The daughter of a Burlington commune leader who has been charged with human trafficking and assault offences testified Tuesday that she never saw her father, Mohan Jarry" Ahlowalia, assault or use physical force on the alleged female victim.

In her testimony, Sjonum Awalia St-Cyr said she would have stepped in if she had witnessed the alleged assaults.

The identity of the woman, who alleged she endured years of physical and sexual abuse while living as part of a group at a Mount Nemo residence, is protected under a publication ban.

I would have definitely reacted. I would have definitely said something and I wouldn't have let it happen. I would have interrupted ... that's just the type of person I am," St-Cyr told the court.

St-Cyr disputed the testimony of former household member Kent Emerson last year, who said that the witness had once approached him after allegedly seeing Ahlowalia slap the woman.

One, I've never heard of him slapping her. And two, I've never had that type of a relationship with Kent," she said.

She also said she never saw Ahlowalia telling the woman to stand outside with no shoes in the cold or stand in the rain, lick the floor, or walk around the prayer room in the household in her underwear.

Sorry, that just sounded ridiculous to me," the witness commented on some of the allegations.

St-Cyr described the relationship between her father and the woman as friends" - and that she would often go to Ahlowalia for advice.

At home, years before the family opened its restaurant business, St-Cyr said the woman would offer to help with some household chores, including in the kitchen. But it didn't extend to fully preparing meals for the family, she said.

I think she wouldn't be able to (cook) dinner for that many people," St-Cyr said.

Did you ever observe your father being critical of (her) about anything to do with the food she was preparing?" defence attorney Jeffrey Manishen asked.

No, because she wasn't preparing food," the witness answered.

The witness testified that as an instructor, Ahlowalia applies martial arts to everything he does, and that many household members often engage in some martial arts training and exercises, the woman included.

She said that she saw the woman practise a form of balancing exercise with her father at the restaurant and at home, as well as with other family members on other occasions.

When asked whether participants could fall or get hit during the course of the exercise, the witness said that it's possible" - though in general people would want to avoid getting hit.

It's all part of martial arts training," the witness said.

Earlier in the day, the virtual proceedings were temporarily halted after an unidentified voice interrupted the Crown's questioning of a previous witness. The accused later said that he had accidentally turned his microphone on and apologized for his remark.

Ahlowalia, who is facing 30 charges, has pleaded not guilty to all of the charges.

The trial continues Wednesday, April 13.