7 May 2015

Killing 'broke the whole family to pieces'

2:45 pm on 7 May 2015

Shalvin Prasad's mother says each time she looks at his photo now, it is like a dagger through her heart.

Shivneel Kumar (left) and Bryne Permal (far right) in Auckland High Court.

Shivneel Kumar (left) and Bryne Permal (far right) in the High Court in Auckland during their trial. Photo: RNZ / Diego Opatowski

Mr Prasad's body was found in smouldering scrubland in south Auckland in January 2013.

The two men who burnt him to death were today given life sentences with a minimum non-parole period of 17 years.

Shivneel Kumar and Bryne Permal were found guilty of the 21-year-old's murder in a crime that the Crown had said was driven by money.

In her victim impact statement, Mr Prasad's mother, Shami Prasad, said the trial was torture and the whole family was having counselling sessions.

"We all lived together, so close knit very strongly bonded together. One bombshell broke the whole family to pieces.

"Each time I see his photo my heart throbs with pain. It's like a dagger through my heart."

She also said the family still did not know why her son withdrew the money and, if he was threatened, what it was with.

Shalvin Prasad

Shalvin Prasad Photo: Supplied / NZ Police

Mr Prasad had withdrawn $30,000 from his bank account the day he went missing.

At the High Court in Auckland, Justice Venning said neither man had shown any remorse.