Rohit Singh is on trial for murder in the High Court at Auckland. Photo / Greg Bowker
Rohit Singh is on trial for murder in the High Court at Auckland. Photo / Greg Bowker
An ex-boyfriend was an "easy suspect" for police but he is innocent of slashing a young mum to death in her Auckland home, his lawyer claims.
Rohit Deepak Singh, 42, is on trial in the High Court at Auckland for the murder of Arishma Singh (Chand) last November.
The Crown alleges he lay-in-wait at her house with a large kitchen knife before stabbing her in a "brutal and prolonged attack".
The motive, Crown prosecutor Claire Robertson told the court yesterday, was Rohit Singh's obsession and infatuation with Arishma, who did not want to continue a secret sexual relationship.
"It was this obsession which drove him to kill her," Robertson said.
Today, defence counsel Belinda Sellars told the jury her client "stands before you an innocent man".
"Rohit Singh was not the person who killed Ms Chand," she said during her opening statement.
"Obviously the police and the Crown have developed a theory, a detailed theory, and it points to him ... he was an easy target and an easy suspect for them."
Sellars said the defence will rely on reasonable doubt.
"All Mr Singh asks is that you keep an open mind, that you treat him fairly," she said.
Arishma Singh's body was found in her South Auckland home by her parents. Photo / Supplied
Arishma, a 24-year-old mum of one, was found dead in her Maich Rd house in Manurewa after her parents Rakesh and Aradhana Singh returned home during the early hours of November 12.
Shortly after her death, the Herald revealed that Arishma, who was born and educated in Fiji, was at a friend's birthday party and was killed soon after returning to her home with her boyfriend.
Moments after her boyfriend left the house, the Crown alleges, Rohit Singh - who was "watching and waiting" - attacked her.
Just 16 minutes later Arishma's parents returned to find their dead daughter "lying in a pool of blood", Robertson said.
She had been stabbed in the back, shoulder and arm, bashed across the back of her head with an unknown weapon, and had her face slashed.
A wound to her groin also cut a vital artery.
Robertson said the accused fled the bloody crime scene and drove to the North Shore before concocting a bogus alibi. Rohit Singh had phoned police later in the morning claiming to be a victim of a robbery at about the same time Arishma was killed.
He also dumped his clothes and the blooded knife and weapon, Robertson added, but police would link him to the homicide with forensic evidence.
Police at the scene of the homicide on Maich Rd in Manurewa on November 12 last year. Photo / Jason Oxenham
In 2016, Rohit Singh was in a secret relationship with the child educator but believed Arishma was cheating on him.
He became preoccupied with the idea, Robertson said.
Rohit Singh sent threatening Facebook messages, called and texted daily and went as far as having a tattoo of Arishma's face inked on his chest, she added.
Arishma was separated from her husband but they shared custody of their young daughter. She was also known as Archana Chand, her ex-husband's surname.
The trial continues.
Where to get help
If you're in danger now: • Phone the police on 111 or ask neighbours of friends to ring for you. • Run outside and head for where there are other people. • Scream for help so that your neighbours can hear you. • Take the children with you. • Don't stop to get anything else. • If you are being abused, remember it's not your fault. Violence is never okay
Where to go for help or more information: • Shine, free national helpline 9am- 11pm every day - 0508 744 633 www.2shine.org.nz • Women's Refuge: Free national crisis line operates 24/7 - 0800 refuge or 0800 733 843 www.womensrefuge.org.nz • Shakti: Providing specialist cultural services for African, Asian and middle eastern women and their children. Crisis line 24/7 0800 742 584
