Surrey Property Owners Deny Knowledge of Hells Angels Clubhouse Activities
The owners of a Surrey house utilized by the Hells Angels as a clubhouse are vehemently denying allegations made by the British Columbia government, which is seeking to seize the property through civil forfeiture proceedings. Gurbinder Singh Johal and his wife Kulwant, who own the residence at 18068-96th Avenue in Surrey, assert they had no knowledge of any illegal activities conducted by their tenants, despite the property's association with the notorious biker gang's Hardside chapter.
Government Lawsuit Targets Multiple Clubhouses
Last month, the director of civil forfeiture in B.C. initiated a lawsuit aimed at seizing three Hells Angels clubhouses across the province. These include properties belonging to the Mission chapter, the Hardside chapter in Surrey, and the Haney chapter in Pitt Meadows. The legal action is part of broader efforts to combat organized crime by targeting assets allegedly connected to unlawful activities.
In their formal response filed on January 8, the Johals stated unequivocally that they "have no knowledge of the alleged unlawful activities" referenced in the government's claim. They further emphasized that they are not, and have never been, connected to such activities, nor have they benefited from them. The couple has requested that the director discontinue the lawsuit against them, arguing their complete lack of involvement.
Tenancy History and Eviction Details
The Johals provided details about their tenants in their legal defense. They revealed that they had recently signed a five-year lease with Gurpreet Dhaliwal on March 8, 2025, under the understanding that he would use the property as his personal residence. However, following the government's allegations, they have since evicted Dhaliwal from the premises.
Prior to Dhaliwal, the property was rented to Suminder Grewal, also known as Allie, starting on October 25, 2017. Grewal, a member of the Hardside Hells Angels, was fatally shot in south Surrey in August 2019. His wake was held at the Surrey clubhouse, monitored by anti-gang officers from B.C.'s Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit. The Johals claimed that Grewal represented the property would be for his personal use and for restoring antique cars, which they accepted in good faith.
In their defense, the Johals described both former tenants as "responsible individuals" who maintained the property well, keeping it clean and in good repair. They stressed that at no point did they have reason to suspect any criminal involvement.
Broader Legal Context and Previous Disputes
This is not the first legal challenge involving the Surrey property. In a 2020 response to a separate lawsuit filed by the City of Surrey, the Johals identified Hells Angel Shannon Rennie as their tenant at that time. This history underscores the ongoing scrutiny faced by properties associated with the Hells Angels in British Columbia.
The civil forfeiture process allows the government to seize assets believed to be connected to criminal activity, even without a criminal conviction. This case highlights the complexities of property ownership when tenants are linked to organized crime, raising questions about landlord liability and due diligence.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the Johals maintain their position of innocence, arguing that they are "wholly uninvolved in any alleged criminal activity." The outcome of this case could set precedents for similar forfeiture actions targeting properties used by criminal organizations across Canada.
