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The parents of slain dairy worker Saishwar Krishna Naidu were last night distraught the body of their only son had not been returned to them.
In a statement, the family blamed the lawyer representing Krishna's alleged killer, saying he was still deciding whether to order his own post-mortem examination. Police completed their examination yesterday.
"We are pleading with the relevant authorities to assist us in this repulsive situation, and get Krishna back to us so that we can conduct our final rituals as soon as possible," said Krishna's father, Hari Raj Naidu.
"We see this as being inhumane. Please... we are already suffering and we would be grateful if the relevant authorities, particularly the defence counsel, could realise and understand what we are going through and assist us to peacefully bid farewell to Krishna."
Barry Hart, the lawyer acting for the 16-year-old charged with the murder, did not return police calls last night, according to Mr Naidu.
When asked by the Herald on Sunday why he had not decided whether to perform a post-mortem examination, Hart went silent, then said: "What do you mean? Ring us in the morning. Put your story in. We've got to look after our interests." Hart then hung up.
Krishna died as paramedics battled to save his life after a youth robbed the family's Finlayson Superette in Clendon, South Auckland, on Friday afternoon. The 16-year-old, who cannot be named, appeared briefly in Manukau Youth Court yesterday. He was remanded until Tuesday.
