Indian Student Stabbed To Death Over Rent Payment

Since 2018, over 425 cases of Indian students dying abroad have been documented. Recently, there’s been a concerning uptick in violent incidents targeting Indian students, initially in the US and now spreading to Australia.

Navjeet Sandhu, an MTech student of Indian descent, was tragically killed in Australia.

His uncle in Haryana alleges that two fellow Indian students, Abhijeet and Robin Gartan, are responsible for his murder.

According to Navjeet’s uncle, Yashvir, the incident occurred when Navjeet tried to intervene in a dispute between his friend and others over rent.

Yashvir explains that Navjeet, upon hearing commotion while accompanying his friend Sharwan to pick up belongings, stepped in to stop the fight and was fatally stabbed.

Living expenses in Australia, where many Indian students pursue higher education, are exorbitant, with rent alone reaching around AUD $500 (approx. 30,000 INR) per month even for shared accommodations.

Navjeet had been in Australia for a year and a half on a study visa, financed by his father selling a portion of their land.

Described as a brilliant student, Navjeet was planning to reunite with his family in Karnal in July.

His uncle appeals to the Indian government for assistance in repatriating Navjeet’s body from Melbourne.

Meanwhile, Victoria Police are actively searching for Abhijeet and Robin Gartan, releasing their details and images. The suspects are believed to be traveling in a stolen 2014 white Toyota Camry sedan.