The family of a Dunedin man stabbed at least 46 times says his killer’s sentence is “final justice”.
Gurjit Singh was attacked in the middle of the night in a home invasion in 2024, aged 27.
His killer, known as Rajinder, was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum non-parole period of 17.5 years this morning, after being found guilty at trial last year.
Singh had wed a woman Rajinder wanted to marry.
Rajinder stabbed him so many times that he was nearly beheaded.
Singh's father Nishan told reporters outside court, with translation by his son's friend Hiren Patel, that “they are happy that they have got a final justice”.
“He [Rajinder] will be reminded that he has done a really wrong thing.”
Patel said Singh's family had thought “nobody” would have done what Rajinder did to their son.
“It was a really tough time for them during the whole trial. Especially for the mum because her health is not good as well.”
Singh had moved to New Zealand in 2016 for higher pay to send back to his elderly parents in India.
They sold all of their land to help him get to New Zealand.
Victim impact statements said they had been “destroyed” by the murder, both as a family and financially.
“When he finally reached a point where he could lift us up from hardship, he was taken away from us. Now we have nothing. No land, no savings, no support.”
Detective Senior Sergeant Nik Leigh told 1News before the sentencing that Singh was “about to start a new life with his wife that was due to come out the week after he was murdered”.
A family statement read in court said: “He had a calm nature, a kind smile, and a heart that never wished harm on anyone. He was the kind of young man who noticed when someone was struggling and stepped forward before they even asked.”
Today in the High Court at Dunedin, Justice Dunningham said to Rajinder: “The most likely motive for your killing was not jealousy, but rather the desire to punish Mr Singh and his new wife... Because from your perspective, she rejected an arranged marriage with you.”
Crown prosecutor Richard Smith highlighted the “brutality of the offending, the callous and depraved nature of the murder itself” speaking in the High Court today.
Singh’s body was found outside his home and a window was shattered, with evidence suggesting he fought for his life and tried to flee.
Eighty police staff investigated the murder, some at the scene for eight days. Some were sent from as far as Wellington.
CCTV and DNA were crucial evidence.
Detective Senior Sergeant Leigh told 1News before the sentencing: “I remember seeing the reaction from the family when the verdict was handed down. And it sounds cheesy but it definitely brings a tear to your eyes.”
Justice Dunningham also ordered Rajinder to pay more than $8000 for the victim’s family and widow, and issued a firearms prohibition order.
Rajinder remained silent in the dock throughout his appearance.
SHARE ME