Dunedin, New Zealand — A man on trial for the murder of Gurjit Singh has been accused by prosecutors of lying to police and leaving crucial DNA evidence at the crime scene. The defendant, known only as Rajinder, stands charged with killing Singh, who was discovered dead on his lawn in January of the previous year, with more than 40 stab wounds.
During the trial at the High Court, Rajinder’s defense lawyer argued that there was no animosity between the men and no justification for his client to have committed such an act. In closing statements, prosecutor Richard Smith urged the jury to consider the overwhelming evidence of Rajinder’s guilt, emphasizing the critical role of forensic findings in the case.
A forensic expert testified that blood samples collected from Singh’s home were 500 million times more likely to belong to Rajinder than to someone chosen at random. Smith highlighted several pieces of evidence connecting Rajinder to the crime, stating that not only was evidence of his blood found at the scene, but strands of his hair were also recovered, some found in Singh’s hands.
Further complicating his defense, Rajinder reportedly changed his account of how he sustained an injury to his hand, initially claiming it was from a chainsaw accident, then stating it was a bike accident. Smith asserted that the nature of the injury suggested it was caused by a sharp instrument, rather than the objects Rajinder claimed caused the cut.
Moreover, a medical professional raised questions regarding the legitimacy of Rajinder’s explanation, noting the lack of typical injuries associated with a fall onto gravel, such as grazing or bruising. Smith argued that Rajinder’s evasions during the police interrogation further illustrated his culpability, pointing to notable bruises on his abdomen that he neglected to disclose.
Smith framed the incident as an act of premeditated violence, asserting that the timing of the attack was significant — it occurred just before Singh’s wife was to arrive from India, the same woman who had turned down Rajinder’s advances. This refusal, alongside Singh’s rejection of Rajinder’s proposal to marry his sister, added complexity to the motive behind the alleged murder, Smith suggested.
The prosecutor described the murder as brutal, articulating that the assailant demonstrated profound knowledge of Singh, having pursued him out of his home. Evidence presented indicated that Rajinder had purchased gloves and a knife just a day before the fatal incident, which he neglected to mention during police interviews.
Compounding the case against him, Rajinder allegedly conducted internet searches for Singh’s address multiple times leading up to the murder, ostensibly to plot his approach to the victim’s home discreetly. Despite claiming ignorance about the victim’s location, evidence revealed that his online activities included mapping routes that minimized visibility.
The defense team is expected to present their closing arguments soon, as the jury prepares to deliberate over the evidence that paints a damning portrait of Rajinder’s potential motives and actions leading up to Singh’s tragic death.