New Delhi: A 22-year-old MTech student named Navjeet Sandhu from Karnal, Haryana, was stabbed to death in Australia during a fight between some Indian students over the issue of rent this weekend, Hindustan Times reported. Sandhu had reportedly been pursuing his studies in Australia for a year and a half.
His uncle Yashvir Sandhu, speaking to Hindustan Times, said one more student was injured in the incident, which occurred on Saturday around 9 pm local time in Melbourne. Sandhu's family said the altercation was actually between a former schoolmate of his and his ex-roommates. The former roommates are the prime suspects in the killing. They are two brothers who also have roots in Karnal, and are currently on the run.
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“Sharwan, a schoolmate of Navjeet, had a dispute over some rent issue with two of his older flatmates. Sharwan started living with Navjeet and asked him to go with him to their house to pick up his belongings. While Sharwan was inside, Navjeet waited outside and heard them shouting. The men came outside and had a scuffle with Navjeet following which he was stabbed,” Yashvir Sandhu was quoted as saying in the HT report.
Family Urges Govt To Bring Back The Body Soon
Yashvir Sandhu said the family received news of the incident early Sunday morning and is still in shock. "Navjeet was a brilliant student and was to join his family in July for vacations," PTI quoted him as saying.
His father, a farmer, had sold one-and-half acres of their land to fund his education. "We urge the Government of India to help us to bring the body as soon as possible," Yashvir said.
According to the HT report, "officials" said his family has not yet approached the administration for any relief or assistance. Meanwhile, police in Australia's Victoria have confirmed that they are actively investigating Navjeet Sandhu's death.