Vancouver, Canada — A judge has described a violent incident in May 2022 that left two sisters severely traumatized during a rental stay at an Airbnb. Arvin Pasha, who pleaded guilty to charges of assault with a weapon and causing bodily harm, received a 22-month conditional sentence.
Justice Harbans Dhillon characterized the attack as unprovoked and brutal, noting the profound psychological impact on the victims, aged 25 and 23, who had traveled to Vancouver for a visit. Oblivious to the threat posed by Pasha, the sisters were shocked to find they shared their rental space with him.
According to court details, the incident unfolded in the early hours when Pasha, armed with a 12-inch knife, began pacing and banging on the living room window, waking the sisters from their sleep. In their frantic attempt to escape, they fled into the hallway while one of them called 911.
Pasha followed, brandishing the knife and swinging it at the women. One sister, who was stabbed repeatedly, cried out urgently, asking what he was doing as she fell to the ground. The second sister, attempting to protect herself behind a door, suffered similar injuries in the ensuing chaos.
The judge emphasized the severity of the attacks, stating they posed a real risk to the sisters’ lives. Following the violent encounter, police officers arrived on the scene with weapons drawn, leading to the timely apprehension of Pasha. Emergency personnel quickly transported the injured women to the hospital for treatment.
During sentencing, Justice Dhillon remarked on the lasting repercussions of the assault, which left the victims in pain, disfigured, and grappling with post-traumatic stress, anxiety, and depression. “They were utterly unprepared for the violence that ensued,” she noted, highlighting the lasting impact of the attack.
Dhillon also revealed that Pasha’s erratic behavior was exacerbated by his drug use, claiming he was experiencing psychosis at the time and believed the sisters were harming his pet. The judge pointed out that this mental breakdown has contributed to prior incidents of distress within his family.
Despite the alarming nature of his actions, Pasha has reportedly been working on improving his mental health and has abstained from psychoactive substances. The court acknowledged his efforts to understand the link between his drug use and mental health issues. “That reduces his moral culpability,” Dhillon remarked, noting his steps toward gaining insight and self-awareness.
As part of his conditional sentence, Pasha is required to adhere to a curfew for the next year and is subject to 18 months of probation. The court’s decision reflects a balance between accountability for the violent offenses committed and recognition of the steps he is taking toward recovery. The sisters, whose identities have been shielded due to a publication ban, continue to navigate the emotional fallout from an ordeal that forever altered their lives.