Harnek Singh who was stabbed multiple times
On November 28, three Khalistani extremists have been found guilty of attempting to kill popular New Zealand radio personality Harnek Singh in Auckland. Harnek Singh (Nekki) is originally from India.
A 27-year-old Sarvjeet Sidhu accepted a guilty plea to attempted murder only days before the trial commenced, while Sukhpreet Singh (44) was pronounced culpable of accessory. Another 48-year-old Khalistan supporter, who lives in Auckland was also sentenced for the crime.
According to The New Zealand Herald, the victim, identified as Harnek Singh, suffered more than 40 stab wounds when he was attacked by the three accused on December 23, 2020, in Auckland’s Wattle Downs area.
After the attack, Harnek Singh required over 350 stitches to his head and upper body and multiple surgeries to treat the wounds.
During one of the hearings, the judge noted that community protection and a strong message of deterrence were necessary for this highly unusual case.
In its observations, the judge further added that though the third accused was not present at the time of the attack, he harboured a years-long resentment against Harnek due to his political views and more “liberal interpretation of Sikhism”.
He planned the “hit” and used his influence over others to recruit henchmen to do his bidding, the judge said.
“It bears all the hallmarks of religious fanaticism,” the judge said while explaining the motivation for the attack.
“Violence of this kind is committed to what is perceived as the furtherance of the greater good…,” he added while pronouncing the punishment.
Two men, identified as Jagraj Singh and Gurbinder Sigh were acquitted in the case due to lack of evidence while two others, Jobanpreet Singh and Hardeep Sing, still await sentencing.
It is to be noted that, thousands of people listen to Harnek Singh’s online radio show and most of them are from outside New Zealand. Harnek Singh said on the witness stand that he had attracted a sizable number of ardent detractors but he clarified that while most of them were more fundamentalist or conservative in their views, his personal views on Sikhism are probably more on the liberal end of the spectrum.
“My family faces fear each day when the sun goes down. My wife and child wonder if someone is lurking in the shadows, looking into our home, wanting to attack us again. We went from a carefree, spontaneous and fun-loving family to one that is constantly in fear for my safety”, Harnek Singh said.
He further mentioned that he hopes his family won’t live in dread and expressed gratitude to the New Zealand legal system for ensuring that “no one is above the law, not even religion.”
Harnek addressed the culprits and said, “You came to kill me. You tried to silence me. You wanted to send a chilling message to all those who express their disagreement with your unorthodox religious views. But you failed. I will continue to express my opinions and beliefs as I always have. The only chilling message you have managed to send is to people with the same views and opinions as yours that actions have consequences and that in a country like New Zealand, the law does not bend for you if your wrongful acts are in the name of God.”
The judge found resonance in those comments and he repeated them when he sentenced the accused. Dale Dufty, the defence attorney had asked for concessions because of his client’s troubled past and difficult childhood in India. Luke Radich, the crown prosecutor, countered that the latter’s involvement and the case’s character mandated the maximum 14-year beginning point.
“If this is not amongst the most serious cases of its type, then what is,” Radich asked and added, “It could not have been more pre-meditated and (the defendant) was the architect of it.” The judge eventually agreed. Defence attorney Katie Hogan claimed that there was no proof the primary offender was aware of the attack in advance.
Defence counsel Andrew Speed alleged that Sarvjeet Sidhu, who was one of the knife assailants in the driveway, was brainwashed by the principal offender. He received a nine-and-a-half-year prison sentence. Sukhpreet Singh, who helped the two stabbers unsuccessfully conceal their vehicle and gave them a shower and new clothes after the attack, was given a six-month home detention sentence.
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