DUNEDIN, New Zealand — A man is facing murder charges in connection with the brutal killing of Gurjit Singh, who was discovered dead outside his home in January 2022 after suffering over 40 stab wounds. The accused, identified only as Rajinder, is currently on trial in the High Court, where the prosecution argues that he left behind incriminating evidence and lied to authorities during their investigation.
According to prosecutor Richard Smith, forensic analysis revealed that blood samples collected at the crime scene were significantly more likely to match Rajinder than any random individual. In his closing remarks, Smith urged jurors to consider the overwhelming evidence pointing to Rajinder’s involvement, which included blood and hair found on the victim and at the scene, as well as a thumb from a glove believed to have fallen off during the altercation.
Smith emphasized the violence of the attack, suggesting that the perpetrator had a personal motive and was determined to kill, noting that the assault occurred just before Singh’s wife was set to arrive in New Zealand. The relationship dynamics were further complicated, as Singh had previously rejected Rajinder’s marriage proposal and his plans to wed Singh’s sister, which Smith argued could have contributed to the motive for murder.
Testimony revealed that Rajinder provided inconsistent accounts regarding injuries sustained on the night of the murder. Initially, he claimed that he hurt himself in a chainsaw accident and later changed his narrative to a bike mishap. Smith pointed out that medical examinations contradicted these explanations, indicating that the injuries were more consistent with a sharp object rather than the accidents Rajinder described.
Further investigation uncovered that Rajinder had purchased gloves and a knife the day before the killing, but he failed to disclose this information to the police during questioning. Additionally, evidence suggested that he had actively searched for Singh’s home multiple times prior to the attack, including plotting routes that would avoid heavy traffic and pedestrians. Rajinder’s claims that he was giving driving lessons at the time of the murder were also called into question by cell phone records, showing no substantial trips to the location during the claimed period.
As the trial progresses, the defense will present its closing arguments. The court continues to explore the complexities surrounding the motives and actions that led to the tragic death of Gurjit Singh, shedding light on a case marked by deception and violence.