Thaindian News

Sydney, Jan 10(ANI): Australian detectives investigating the murder of 25-year-old Ranjodh Singh, an Indian seasonal work contractor in Griffith, have questioned and confiscated the passports of two men, who were allegedly attempting to leave the country.

According to reports, the two were seasonal workers employed by Singh and were detained at the Sydney Airport departure lounge on Monday, as they were about to board a flight to Nepal via Singapore.

The men were taken to Mascot police station and questioned about their relationship with Singh, but were later released after having their passports confiscated pending further investigations by Homicide Squad and Griffith detectives.

The detectives are examining claims that Singh, who lived in Wagga Wagga and recruited Indian immigrants to work on farms in the Riverina, may have been murdered in a fight over unpaid money to workers, after attending a party in Griffith on December 27 last year, The Sydney Morning Herald reports.

His bound body was found two days later with a badly burnt face by a passer-by on the side of Wilga Road at Willbriggie.

The detectives have not ruled out racism as a motive of the murder, but say there is no evidence to support the claim.

“There are things that don’t add up in the initial reports,” a police source said.

Meanwhile, an appeal to the public has been made by the detectives to help them identify a distinctive red Ford Falcon car, which they believe may be connected to the murder.Griffith Local Area Command crime manager Detective Inspector Paul Smith said police had received significant information from the public, but they want to hear from anyone who may have information about a car seen in the Griffith and Wagga areas around the time of Singh’s death. (ANI)