'I felt like I was going to die': Woman chokes back tears during cross-examination of Burlington mansion incidents

A woman who alleges she was sexually assaulted and abused by a Burlington commune leader broke down during a tough cross-examination on Monday, June 28.

Defence attorney Jeffrey Manishen continued to chip away at perceived inconsistencies in the witness' story during day five of the trial of Mohan Jarry' Ahlowalia.

Ahlowalia has pleaded not guilty to 30 charges, including assault, assault with a weapon, sexual assault, and a rash of human trafficking and firearms charges.

The crown witness, whose name is protected by a publication ban, has testified Ahlowalia subjected her to physical and sexual abuse during the 2004 to 2019 period she lived as part of a group of families who resided together, first in Oakville, and then at a mansion in Mount Nemo in rural Burlington.

Manishen cross-examined the woman about an Oct. 28, 2019 incident, which she said occurred at the restaurant operated by the commune.

The woman had testified Ahlowalia flew into a rage over her work and threw her backward resulting in her back being cut.

When she swore at him for this, she testified, he choked her to the point that she urinated in her pants and began to black out.

Manishen suggested Ahlowalia had actually just bumped' into her, resulting in her losing her balance and falling.

He went on to suggest that when the woman swore at Ahlowalia he simply told her to leave.

He didn't pick you up and throw you at all," said Manishen.

The woman maintained the assault did happen.

I just don't understand how people can lie about what they've done to other people," she said choking back tears.

I felt like I was going to die."

Manishen also suggested threats Ahlowalia reportedly made to kill the witness if she tried to leave the commune never happened.

He said Ahlowalia had actually told her on numerous occasions that she was free to leave whenever she wanted.

The witness acknowledged the commune leader said that but noted this was a tactic Ahlowalia used to make her feel guilty.

The defence lawyer also suggested multiple incidents the witness testified about, where Ahlowalia put his hand down her shirt, never happened.

The witness testified these sexual assaults occurred six or seven times between 2005 and 2019, but was unable to provide specific dates or years.

At one point, Manishen asked how long these incidents would last for.

I didn't time these things, sir," the woman responded.

Manishen zeroed in on changing elements of the woman's story about why she went to Halton police in December 2019 instead of leaving the country with her children as was originally planned.

He noted that at one point the woman testified she went to police because she feared Ahlowalia would track her down, but at another point she said she feared her children wouldn't believe her about the abuse if she took them out of the country.

The woman said both reasons are true.

Manishen also pointed out that the woman reported to police that she had told her daughter about the abuse, but she testified before the court that to this day her children possibly still don't know about it.

The woman said she had simply forgotten and now stands corrected.

I'm going to say you stand caught," said Manishen.

In a number of respects in your evidence you have given an inaccurate version of events. A number of things that you have alleged with respect to Mr. Ahlowalia's conduct towards you aren't accurate and are not the truth."

The woman disagreed.

The trial will continue on July 21.