5 Feb 2024

Dunedin homicide: 33-year-old charged with murder of Gurjit Singh

5:27 pm on 5 February 2024
Police cordoned off Hillary Street in the Dunedin suburb of Liberton after a sudden death, on 29 January, 2024.

Police cordoned off Hillary Street in the Dunedin suburb of Liberton after the sudden death on 29 January, 2024. Photo: RNZ / Tess Brunton

The father of a man killed in Dunedin says he wants justice for his son.

Gurjit Singh's body was found at his home on 29 January, with forensic evidence indicating he died from multiple stab wounds by a sharp weapon.

A 33-year-old technician accused of murdering Singh was granted interim name suppression after appearing in Dunedin District Court before a Justice of the Peace this afternoon, facing one charge of murder.

He did not apply for bail and has been remanded in custody until later this month

The maximum penalty is life in prison.

Detective Senior Sergeant Kallum Croudis said a large team of investigators have worked extensively on the case.

He said several vehicles, another residential property and workplaces were still part of the ongoing investigation.

Speaking through a translator, Singh's father, Nishan Singh, said he was pleased with the work done by the police, but he wanted answers.

Singh said he wanted justice.

His son was an intelligent, soft-hearted gentleman who helped lots of new migrants to adjust to life in New Zealand, and had no enemies, he said.

Nishan Singh had arrived in Dunedin and was being supported by the Punjabi community and police.

Narindervir Singh from the Otago Punjabi Foundation Trust said a Givealittle fundraising page has been set up to support the family.

Gurjit Singh's wife was meant to arrive in the country this month, but it was now unclear what would happen now that her husband had died, he said.

It was an awful situation as Singh had set up his home here so he could spend time with his beloved family, Narindervir Singh said.