Police in Dunedin are investigating the death of 27-year-old technician Gurjit Singh, whose bloodied body was found at his Hillary Street home on January 28, 2024. Singh suffered dozens of stab wounds, including one consistent with an attempted decapitation, Hamish McNeilly of Stuff has reported.
Following the discovery, authorities charged a 35-year-old man, identified in court documents as “Rajinder,” with Singh’s murder. He has entered a not guilty plea and is set to stand trial in the High Court of Dunedin.
According to Stuff, Crown prosecutor Robin Bates told the court that both Singh and Rajinder had moved to New Zealand from India and were employed by Downer Group Ltd in 2023, installing fibre on behalf of Chorus. Rajinder had previously employed Singh.
Bates said Singh had recently purchased his Hillary Street home and was preparing to welcome his wife from India in early February 2024. Singh attended a pizza party the evening before his death, but when friends were unable to reach him the next morning, concerns were raised. One friend discovered Singh covered in blood and called 111, attempting CPR before realising Singh had already died.
Stuff reports that the crime scene showed extensive blood evidence inside and outside the property, including a broken kitchen window. DNA testing indicated that blood at the scene matched Rajinder’s profile, and bloody footprints were also found, with boots matching those prints recovered.
The post-mortem revealed 46 wounds to Singh, including one suggesting an attempted decapitation. Stuff notes that police investigations included reviewing CCTV footage of Rajinder purchasing gloves, a knife, and a scarf from a hunting store, as well as a mountain bike from a cycling store. Bloodstains matching Singh’s DNA were later found in Rajinder’s vehicle.
During interviews with police, Rajinder initially claimed a cut on his hand occurred while cutting trees, later saying it was two to three weeks old, and then admitting he had received it while riding a new bike. He denied that the blood at the scene could match his DNA.
Defence counsel Katy Barker told the court that Singh was murdered by someone with “murderous intent,” but Rajinder was not that person. Barker said there was no grievance or animosity between the accused and the victim, and highlighted that Rajinder had established a good life in New Zealand since arriving in 2025.
Stuff reports that Downer employees described both men as industrious and professional, with no history of complaints. One employee told the court that he had attempted to contact Singh the morning of his death, but received no response.
The trial, before Justice Rachel Dunningham, is scheduled to run for three weeks.
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