A religious extremist who was recruited to fatally stab a stranger in Auckland, New Zealand, has been sentenced to prison. Jobanpreet Singh, 27, received a nine-year sentence for his role in the attack, which was described as "vicious" and "motivated by religious and possibly political views" by Justice Mark Woolford, The New Zealand Herald reported.
Singh, along with Sikh temple leader Gurinderpal Brar, was found guilty of attempted murder for the plan to ambush and kill radio host Harnek Singh in December 2020. The attack, which left the victim with over 40 stab wounds, was nearly successful and would likely have resulted in his death without quick medical intervention.
During the trial, prosecutors portrayed Jobanpreet Singh as a devoted follower of Brar's, though he denied being directly involved in the attack. Two others pleaded guilty before the trial, with one testifying against Singh and Brar.
Prisoner Jaspal Singh testified that Brar recruited the attackers, including himself, at his temple in East Tāmaki. Brar, however, was not physically involved in the attack but orchestrated it from behind the scenes.
Jobanpreet Singh's difficult background, which included losing his parents in India and facing challenges in New Zealand, was highlighted as a factor in his susceptibility to manipulation. Despite this, the judge emphasized that his actions were inexcusable.
Singh's sentencing, while partially academic due to his impending deportation after serving his term, was intended to serve as a deterrent for similar future attacks. Brar, the mastermind behind the plan, received a 13-and-a-half-year sentence.
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Justice Woolford acknowledged Singh's positive traits described in reference letters but ultimately emphasized the severity of his crime, particularly noting his lack of remorse as evidenced by his statements about burning down the victim's house.
Harnek Singh, in a victim impact statement, expressed his determination to continue expressing his beliefs despite the attack. He emphasized that such actions have consequences and that the law does not bend for those who commit unlawful acts in the name of religion.