A pathologist testified Wednesday at the murder trial of Ranbir Dhull, saying that his alleged victim, Samandeep Jhinger, died of strangulation.

The 23-year-old's body was found hidden beneath a sheet of plastic and a rolled-up carpet, in the basement of a Warman, Sask., home in early July 2020.

"The cause of death is ligature strangulation," said pathologist Shaun Ladham.

Ladham could not say whether white adhesive tape covering her mouth and nostrils played a role in her death.

Dhull, a former Saskatoon taxi driver, is charged with first-degree murder and is on trial before a judge alone at Court of King's Bench.

It's alleged that Dhull killed Jhinger, his ex-wife's cousin. The 44-year-old is charged with first-degree murder because Jhinger died while being unlawfully confined.

Crime scene photos presented Wednesday showed Jhinger on her back against a wall on the cement floor of a basement. There is white tape across her mouth and white plastic twine binding her hands together in front of her body. The same twine is tied across her thighs and lower legs, which are partially bent as thought she is in the fetal position.

A scarf and pants are wrapped around her neck.

Ladham said marks on Jhinger's back were consistent with her body being dragged. The abrasions on her neck suggested that the ligature was pulled and tightened from behind.

There was no evidence of sexual assault or trauma to her head, he said.

Under cross-examination by defence lawyer Andrew Mason, Ladham said that he saw no evidence on the body of any defensive wounds.

Ladham added, under questioning, that although Jhinger's wrists were bound, her hands were free.

"There was nothing to constrain her hands or fingers."

The Crown closed its case Wednesday. Mason said that he'll be calling defence evidence. The trial is now adjourned to Nov. 7.