Victoria police charge two men with trafficking, sexual assault

An officer's shoulder patch is pictured at the Victoria Police Department in Victoria, on Friday, May 8, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

VICTORIA — Police in Victoria say they arrested and charged two men in connection with a case of trafficking and sexual assault of a woman.

Jamie McRae, the department’s deputy chief, said during a news conference at police headquarters on Tuesday that the men were arrested in Victoria on June 21 after Nanaimo RCMP received a complaint.

McRae said the woman told Mounties that one of the men drove her on June 19 from Nanaimo to Victoria, where she was introduced to a second man, who allegedly sexually assaulted her multiple times and refused to allow her to leave.

He said the young woman eventually returned to Nanaimo, where she contacted police, who then turned the file over to the Victoria department.

The deputy chief said their officers arrested two men and their next court appearance is on July 2.

Police say 24-year-old Rahul Chahar has been charged with sexual assault causing bodily harm, unlawful confinement and attempting to choke to overcome resistance, while 22-year-old Nagender Nagender has been charged with trafficking in persons.

“Our investigators are continuing to do everything they can to conduct a thorough investigation,” McRae said. “If you have experienced abuse, exploitation and or human trafficking, please know that support is available.”

McRae said the allegations in this case are serious and deeply concerning.

“We believe in transparency, letting our community know when things are happening in the community, and this is one of those circumstances,” he said.

McRae said he wasn’t able to share certain specifics of the case.

Asked about the age of the woman, how she returned to Nanaimo and any prior connection to the men, including any possible family ties, McRae pointed to the ongoing court case.

“The victim is a young adult female, and I will leave it at that, rather than providing her exact age,” he said. “As far as how she was returned to Nanaimo, that formulates part of the overall investigation, and I’m not able to share the specifics of that right now.”

McRae said the two men remain in custody, and that police will work with BC Prosecution Services, when asked whether this case warrants a warning to other women.

“But at this point, I don’t think there’s a public safety risk specific to these two suspects,” he said.

Asked whether this is a case of sex trafficking, McRae said the charge of trafficking persons fits a variety of different crimes that involve the transportation of a person.

He said they had no indication that the case is connected to organized crime.

This report by Wolfgang Depner, The Canadian Press, was first published June 30, 2026.