Three men of Indian origin have been convicted for the attempted murder of a Sikh radio jockey in New Zealand. The victim, Harnek Singh, was stabbed over 40 times by the accused, who targeted him for speaking out against the Khalistani ideology. The first accused received six months of home detention, while the second accused was sentenced to nine-and-a-half years in prison. The third accused, who planned the attack, received a prison sentence of 13-and-a-half years. The judge highlighted the need for community protection and deterrence in this unusual case motivated by religious fanaticism. India Today News Desk reported
Three Indian-origin men in New Zealand have been found guilty of attempting to murder a Sikh radio jockey who openly opposed the Khalistani ideology. The victim, Harnek Singh, was attacked by the three assailants on December 23, 2020, in Auckland’s Wattle Downs area, resulting in over 40 stab wounds. Harnek Singh required extensive medical treatment including 350 stitches and multiple surgeries. After a three-year trial, the first accused, Sukhpreet Singh (44), was sentenced to six months of home detention, while the second accused, Sarvjeet Sidhu (27), received a prison term of nine-and-a-half years for using a knife in the attack. The third accused, a 48-year-old Auckland resident, received one of the longest possible prison sentences for attempted murder in New Zealand, with a punishment of 13-and-a-half years. Despite not being present during the attack, the third accused held a longstanding resentment towards Harnek due to his political views and more liberal interpretation of Sikhism. The court emphasized the need for community protection and deterrence due to the unusual nature of the case, describing it as an act of religious fanaticism. Two individuals were acquitted due to insufficient evidence, while two others still await sentencing. This news was published on December 2, 2023, by Sudeep Lavania..
Three men of Indian origin residing in New Zealand have been found guilty of attempting to murder a Sikh radio jockey named Harnek Singh, who had been vocal against the Khalistani ideology. The attack took place on December 23, 2020, in Auckland’s Wattle Downs area, during which Harnek Singh sustained more than 40 stab wounds. He subsequently underwent multiple surgeries and had to receive over 350 stitches on his head and upper body to treat the severe injuries.
After a lengthy legal process spanning nearly three years, the court declared the first accused, Sukhpreet Singh (44), guilty and sentenced him to six months of home detention. The second accused, Sarvjeet Sidhu (27), was found guilty of attacking Harnek with a knife and received a prison term of nine-and-a-half years. The third accused, a 48-year-old Auckland resident, received one of the lengthiest prison sentences for attempted murder in New Zealand, with a punishment of 13-and-a-half years.
During the hearings, the judge emphasized the importance of community protection and sending a strong deterrent message in this highly unusual case. The court remarked that although the third accused was not physically present during the attack, he had nursed a deep resentment towards Harnek for years due to his political views and what was described as a “more liberal interpretation of Sikhism.” The judge stated that the third accused had meticulously planned the attack and utilized his influence to recruit others to carry out his violent intentions. The judge also characterized the motivation for the attack as rooted in religious fanaticism, committed under the misguided belief of advancing the greater good.
Two individuals, Jagraj Singh and Gurbinder Singh, were acquitted in the case due to insufficient evidence. However, two other individuals, Jobanpreet Singh and Hardeep Singh, are still awaiting sentencing.
The incident serves as a reminder of the need to safeguard communities and uphold the principles of justice in New Zealand. Published on December 2, 2023, by Sudeep Lavania..