Dhana Singh still can’t believe Ramandeep was murdered in a country he would often describe as “safe”.
His 25-year-old son was found killed at a car park in western Auckland on December 18. The police have arrested a 26-year-old on charges of murder, but have yet to disclose any details about the killing, or the reason behind it.
“He [Ramandeep] never had a fight with anyone in his life. He used to tell his mother how safe New Zealand is, and the police in New Zealand are so efficient and prompt,” Dhana was quoted as saying by news website Stuff.
“I can’t believe he is killed in a country he always thought was so safe.”
Dhana Singh is pleading the family wants Ramandeep’s body repatriated to India for last rites. “We request the authorities to send his body back to India as soon as possible before everyone goes on holidays.
Ramadeep Singh’s mother was inconsolable as she tried to make sense of the tragedy. “He would tell me not to worry about him…and that he is doing fine,” she said.
Back in his hometown of Kotli Shahpur in the northern Indian state of Punjab, his mother recalled her last conversation with her only son.
“I used to talk to him every day. He used to tell me don’t worry about me, I am fine. It was only on Saturday that I didn’t speak to him,” she told journalists.
A security patrolman working with Armourguard, Ramandeep came to New Zealand about five-and-a-half years ago.
Her mother said she got to know of his death through his friends on Sunday night. “He was such a good boy...a good son...why would somebody do this to him. He had no enemies. I want justice for him and want the culprits to get punished.”
Armourguard's general manager Shane O’Halloran earlier expressed profound sorrow as he confirmed that the victim was a valued staff member employed through a contractor.
Singh's identity was officially listed as the victim in court documents filed in the Waitakere District Court. He was reported unresponsive just after midnight on Monday and pronounced dead after being discovered in the car park at Royal Reserve in Massey.
The police have yet to formally name Ramandeep as the victim. “A formal identification process is yet to be completed. Police will look to release the name when appropriate,” a spokesperson said.
Police haven’t ruled out the possibility of further arrests or charges. Detective Inspector Aaron Proctor provided an update, stating that scene guards remain in place on Beauchamp Dr and the area is still closed to the public.
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