An Indian court has framed charges against six people, including Ravneet Kaur’s husband Jaspreet Singh and Singh’s alleged mistress Kiranjit Kaur – both Gold Coast residents. The Ferozepur Sessions Court has said they will be tried for the murder of 29-year-old aged care nurse.
Ms Kaur’s dead body was found in a canal in India on 25 March this year. She was pregnant at the time.
Ms Kaur was visiting her parents in Bagge Ke Pipal village in Ferozepur district in Punjab when she went missing on 14th March. Indian investigators say she was on the phone with her husband when she was kidnapped from the street.
While Mr Singh was in Australia at the time, the police alleged that he was having an affair and arranged the murder with his alleged mistress Kiranjit Kaur who allegedly flew back to Australia a day after Ms Kaur went missing. Mr Singh and Kiranjit Kaur deny allegations that they were involved in the murder.
The police alleged that Kiranjit Kaur left India after killing Ms Kaur.
Four people, including Kiranjit Kaur’s sister Taranjit were also charged and will face the trial that is due to get underway next week.
In the statement of charges, Judge Parminder Pal Singh said Jaspreet Singh and Kiranjit Kaur along with other defendants agreed to abduct Ravneet Kaur “with an intent commit her murder” and that she was abducted and murdered which also caused the death of her unborn child.
Judge Singh said all the defendants will be tried for causing the death of the unborn child and murder besides the charges of conspiring to commit a crime.
According to the chargesheet, the alleged killers also “dishonestly misappropriated” gold ornaments worn by Ravneet Kaur after her murder. The trial is set to be heard by a fast-track court.
Earlier, the court issued arrest warrants for Jaspreet Singh and Kiranjit Kaur, asking them to appear in the court by 30th November, failing which the process to declare them ‘proclaimed offenders’ will begin.
AFP hits roadblock
Last month, Ravneet Kaur’s brother Jasneet Singh said a spate of transfers of police officers involved in the investigation of the case affected the proceedings.
“The Australian Federal Police have told me that they are finding it difficult to contact and meet the new police officers looking into the case. There seems to be a lack of co-ordination and co-operation between the two countries,” he told SBS Punjabi.
The AFP said it was liaising with the Indian authorities.
“The AFP through its International Operations is liaising with its Indian counterparts in conducting investigations into the death of Ms Kaur,” a spokesperson told SBS Punjabi.
However, it declined to comment on whether Indian authorities had requested for the extradition of Jaspreet Singh and Kiranjit Kaur.
“As the matter is ongoing no further information will be provided,” the spokesperson added.
AFP questioned Kiranjeet Kaur
In April this year, Kiranjit Kaur was questioned by the federal police at the Surfers Paradise police station, where she was reportedly interviewed for over six hours.
After the questioning, her barrister, Chris Rosser told Courier Mail that Ms Kaur denied any involvement in the murder and was assisting the police with the investigation.
“She is horrified at what happened to her friend and wants to help police bring those responsible to justice,” he said.
Deceased Ms Kaur’s husband denied the allegations that he was involved in her murder.
“I don't know what the basis of all these allegations is,” he told SBS Punjabi after Ms Kaur’s dead body was found.
“I can't say anything. I will have to go to India and find out what happened. I have no role in this whatsoever.”
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