An international student who was allegedly killed while trying to break up a fight in Melbourne‘s south-east has been remembered as a “bright and aspiring young man”.
His housemate and long-time friend Gurmeet Singh told 9news.com.au that the 22-year-old had come to Australia to secure a better future for his family back home in India.
Singh said he was the only son of his parents and was a “loving brother to his two sisters”.
“It’s a really big loss for me and for the family. It’s an unbelievable situation for us and it’s really tough,” he said.
The 22-year-old was attempting to help his friend move out of the home in Ormond when things quickly escalated, according to Singh.
“He was helping one of (his) friends who was living in Ormond who wanted to move out,” he said.
“Navjeet went with him to (the home). He was standing outside on the road (while waiting) to get the things from inside and then there was an argument and it turned into an outbreak.
“He just went to help them out.”
Police arrested two brothers in New South Wales on Tuesday after they allegedly fled the scene.
A 27-year-old man has been charged with murder and attempted murder, while a 26-year-old man has been charged with affray.
The pair faced Goulburn Local Court this morning where extradition to Victoria was granted.
They are expected to face Melbourne Magistrates’ Court tomorrow.
A fundraiser has been created to raise money to send Sandhu’s body back to India.
“Our goal is not only to raise funds to repatriate Navjeet’s remains to his homeland but also to provide some financial relief to his family during this critical time,” Singh said.
“They face the challenge of dealing with immense loss while having to reconfigure their future without him.”
