By IANS,
Canberra : A man accused of murdering an Indian two years ago has been cleared of the charge by an Australian court.
Ranjodh Singh died after he was stabbed 20 times, his throat slashed twice, and his body set alight. His charred remains were found in a ditch alongside an orchard-lined road on the outskirts of Griffith city in New South Wales, reported Sydney Morning Herald.
The murder, along with a number of other incidents against Indian nationals in late 2009 and early 2010, had caused adverse reactions internationally. The Indian government issued travel warnings to its citizens planning to come to Australia.
Two-and-a-half years on, the crime is effectively unsolved, with a jury unanimously acquitting the man accused of his murder.
Harpreet Singh, 26, stood trial in the Albury Supreme Court last month and, when the verdict of not guilty was returned, his supporters celebrated.
Crown prosecutor Peter McGrath told the jury that Harpreet Singh celebrated his birthday Dec 28, 2009, holding a party at the Griffith flat, belonging to Gurpreet Singh and his girlfriend Harpreet Kaur Bhullar.
Harpreet Singh and Ranjodh Singh argued after the latter demanded some money that was owed to him, alleged McGrath. At this, Harpreet Singh turned violent, and punched and kicked Ranjodh Singh.
Later, Ranjodh Singh was put in a red Ford car, owned and driven by Bhullar, with Harpreet Singh and Gurpreet Singh also in the car.
The dead man’s remains were found the next morning by motorists along the Wilga Road.