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"चिट्ठी न कोई संदेश": Navjeet Sandhu, a 22-year-old MTech Indian student fatally stabbed in Melbourne over a rent dispute, sparking an urgent manhunt for suspects Abhijeet and Robin Gartan and a desperate family plea for his body's return

MTech student Navjeet Sandhu's family said the altercation was actually between a former schoolmate of his and his ex-roommates, two brothers who are the prime suspects in the murder
 |  Satyaagrah  |  News
Indian Student Stabbed To Death In Australia By 'Haryana Duo Over Rent Row', Suspects On The Run
Indian Student Stabbed To Death In Australia By 'Haryana Duo Over Rent Row', Suspects On The Run

In a tragic incident, a young Indian student lost his life in Australia due to a violent altercation. Navjeet Sandhu, a 22-year-old MTech student from India, was fatally stabbed amid a dispute. The incident involved several other Indian students and occurred during a disagreement over rent payments. Authorities are currently on the lookout for two suspects, both of Indian origin and referred to as the "Haryana Duo" due to their origins from the same place as the victim.

According to reports from the family, the deadly encounter took place on a Saturday night around 9 PM in Melbourne. "Navjeet's friend had asked him for a lift to his house to collect some personal items, as Navjeet had a car," his uncle Yashvir Sandhu explained to the Hindustan Times. Tragically, the situation escalated when Navjeet stepped out of the car to check on a commotion he heard while waiting outside. Upon intervening to pacify the ongoing dispute among the students, he was attacked. "When Navjeet tried to intervene asking them not to fight, he was fatally stabbed in the chest with a knife," recounted Yashvir, a soon-to-be retired Army personnel.

The altercation was reportedly sparked by a previous disagreement involving a former schoolmate of Navjeet and his ex-roommates, who are now the prime suspects in this case. The family stressed that the conflict stemmed from issues unrelated to Navjeet, marking his involvement as an attempt to mediate and help resolve the conflict peacefully.

In addition to Navjeet's tragic death, another student was reported to have been injured during the incident, further highlighting the severity of the fight. The police investigation is ongoing, with efforts to locate the two brothers believed to be responsible for this heinous crime.

The heartbreak and confusion for the family of Navjeet Sandhu deepened following the tragic incident that occurred late Saturday evening in Melbourne. The devastating news reached Navjeet's family early Sunday morning, leaving them in a profound state of shock. Yashvir Sandhu, Navjeet’s uncle, expressed his sorrow and disbelief over the events. "Navjeet was a brilliant student and was to join his family in July for vacations," he lamented, reflecting on the bright future that his nephew was supposed to have.

Navjeet, who had been in Australia for a year and a half on a study visa, had his education funded through significant sacrifices made by his family. "His father, a farmer, had sold one-and-half acres of their land to fund his education," Yashvir noted, underscoring the family's commitment to Navjeet's future.

The altercation that led to Navjeet's untimely death was reportedly a continuation of a previous dispute involving a schoolmate named Sharwan, and Sharwan's former roommates, who are two brothers also from Karnal. The brothers are currently the prime suspects in the murder and have fled the scene, leading to an active manhunt.

The circumstances of the stabbing were detailed by Yashvir. "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 recounted the sequence of events that led to the tragic outcome.

This incident not only resulted in the death of Navjeet but also left his friend, whom he had been helping at the time, injured. The community, both local and abroad, has been stirred by this violent episode, prompting calls for justice and the swift apprehension of the suspects.

Emergency services rushed to the scene at North Rd at Ormond after receiving calls about the incident around 1 AM.

Detective Inspector Dean Thomas from the Homicide Squad provided further details on the ongoing investigation. The police are actively searching for 26-year-old Abhijeet Abhijeet and 27-year-old Robin Gartan. These two brothers are suspected of committing the murder following a dispute at a local gathering.

The context of the altercation was revealed by Inspector Thomas, who mentioned that the suspects were at what appeared to be a party or social gathering where alcohol was being consumed. "Throughout the evening there were some altercations occurring ... prior to 1am an altercation has occurred ... resulting in the two victims being stabbed," explained Inspector Thomas.

This statement suggests a chaotic scene with multiple incidents leading up to the stabbing. The authorities are piecing together the sequence of events that escalated to the tragic outcome, while the community and Navjeet's family await justice. The police's immediate goal is to locate the two brothers, who are now on the run, in hopes of shedding more light on the circumstances surrounding this senseless act of violence.

Indian Student Stabbed To Death In Australia By 'Haryana Duo Over Rent Row', Suspects On The Run

The investigation into the stabbing death of Navjeet Sandhu continues as police intensify their search for the two prime suspects. The suspects, identified as brothers Abhijeet and Robin Gartan, are believed to have been involved in a violent dispute that led to the tragedy. Robin Gartan, aged 27, is described as being 170 cm tall with a solid build and black hair. Authorities believe the suspects are traveling in a stolen 2014 white Toyota Camry sedan, last seen in the Ormond area in the early hours of Sunday, shortly after the incident.

The sequence of events that unfolded on that fateful Sunday morning began when emergency services were summoned to a residential property at about 1 AM, following reports of a disturbance. Upon their arrival, officers found two men suffering from stab wounds. Although the identities of the victims were not disclosed by Victoria Police, the scene described was one of immediate urgency and concern.

It is understood that two other men, presumably the Gartan brothers, fled the scene right after the incident. The ongoing police investigation suggests that all parties involved were acquainted with each other prior to the dispute, which may have contributed to the escalation of violence. The exact cause of the dispute is still being determined by the authorities.

Police are urgently appealing to the public for any information regarding the whereabouts of the suspects. Investigators are particularly keen to speak with anyone who might have insights into the current location of the two men, as they continue to piece together the events leading up to the stabbing. This appeal is part of a broader effort to capture the suspects and prevent further harm, ensuring that justice is served for the victims and their families.

Family Urges Govt To Bring Back The Body Soon

The family of Navjeet Sandhu, a 22-year-old MTech student who was tragically stabbed to death in Australia, is grappling with immense grief. News of the distressing event reached them early Sunday morning. "Navjeet was a brilliant student and was to join his family in July for vacations," PTI quoted Yashvir Sandhu, Navjeet's uncle, as saying. This statement underscores the profound loss felt by the family, as Navjeet was expected home soon, a return that is now mournfully anticipated under tragic circumstances.

In the wake of the tragedy, the family's immediate concern is the repatriation of Navjeet's remains. Yashvir Sandhu has made a heartfelt appeal to the Government of India: "We urge the Government of India to help us to bring the body as soon as possible," he stated emphatically. The urgency of this request reflects the family's desire for closure and the need to begin their mourning process.

The ongoing police investigation in Victoria, Australia, continues to develop as Homicide Squad detectives have released details and images of the suspects. The search is intensifying for the two brothers, Abhijeet Abhijeet and Robin Gartan, both of Indian descent. According to police, Abhijeet is 26 years old, about 170 cm tall, with a solid build and black hair, characteristics that the authorities hope will aid in their swift capture.

Meanwhile, the financial sacrifices made by Navjeet's family to support his education abroad have come to light. "His father, a farmer, had sold one-and-half acres of their land to fund his education," Yashvir disclosed, highlighting the extent of the family's investment in Navjeet's future—a future cruelly cut short.

Furthermore, reports from Hindustan Times indicate that the Sandhu family has not yet approached the administration for any relief or assistance, suggesting that their primary focus remains on the repatriation of Navjeet's body. As the community and family continue to reel from this tragedy, the police in Victoria remain committed to their investigation, aiming to bring justice to Navjeet Sandhu and provide some solace to his bereaved family.

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