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Three Indian-origin Men Convicted for Attempted Murder of Sikh Radio Jockey in New Zealand

Three Indian-origin men residing in New Zealand have been convicted for the attempted murder of Harnek Singh, an Auckland-based Sikh radio jockey known for his vocal opposition against the Khalistani ideology. The attack, which occurred on December 23, 2020, in Auckland’s Wattle Downs area, left Harnek Singh with over 40 stab wounds.

Following the assault, Harnek Singh underwent multiple surgeries and received more than 350 stitches to treat the severe injuries inflicted upon his head and upper body.

After an extensive three-year legal process, the first accused, Sukhpreet Singh (44), was found guilty by a local court and sentenced to six months of home detention. The second accused, Sarvjeet Sidhu (27), was convicted of directly attacking Harnek Singh with a knife and received a prison term of nine-and-a-half years.

The third accused, a 48-year-old Auckland resident, faced one of the longest possible prison sentences for attempted murder in New Zealand, receiving a punishment of 13-and-a-half years. Despite not being present during the assault, the court concluded that he harbored deep resentment towards Harnek Singh due to his political views and his more progressive interpretation of Sikhism.

The judge presiding over the case emphasized the need for community protection and the importance of sending a strong deterrent message in this highly unusual incident. Describing the motivation behind the attack, the judge stated, “It bears all the hallmarks of religious fanaticism.” The court highlighted that the third accused had meticulously planned the assault and manipulated others to carry out the attack on his behalf.

Two individuals, Jagraj Singh and Gurbinder Singh, were acquitted due to insufficient evidence, while two others, Jobanpreet Singh and Hardeep Singh, are still awaiting sentencing in connection with the case.