A Manitoba judge has approved the provincial government’s first application for an unexplained wealth order, which will compel a Sikh religious leader accused of stealing from worshippers to explain where he got his money.

Following a hearing Monday, Court of King’s Bench Justice Sarah Inness ruled in favour of the application, filed in May by the provincial director of criminal property forfeiture under Manitoba’s recently amended civil forfeiture legislation.

“I’m granting the application for the order made by the director,” said Inness. “The director can prepare an order for my signature.”

Inness’s decision sets the stage for the first use of the province’s new power to compel people to account in civil court for money and property that civil forfeiture officials suspect was illegall

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