We remember Prabha Arun Kumar today

Sydney, 7 March 2019

Our community remembers Prabha Arun Kumar today.

It was on 7 March, 2015, when she was murdered in the evening, while returning home from work and walking through Parramatta Park.

https://www.google.com.au/amp/s/amp.smh.com.au/national/nsw/parramatta-stabbing-why-prabha-arun-kumars-husband-was-not-told-of-her-death-20150310-1405sj.html

https://www.google.com.au/amp/s/amp.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/parramatta/vigil-marks-oneyear-anniversary-of-indian-woman-prabha-arun-kumars-murder-at-parramatta-park/news-story/a7e26f5dbacd815939120da9edcac552

https://yadusingh.com/2016/03/08/remembrance-vigil-for-prabha-arun-kumar-parramatta-park-7th-march-2016/

From all the published information, it was a targeted and pre-planned murder. She was not robbed.

Culprits haven’t been found, arrested or charged 4 years after this heinous and gruesome murder of a young mother of a young child, despite much efforts including visits of NSW Police to India to speak to her family members and husband.

We are concerned about the progress of the investigation and lack of outcome.

We remember Prabha today and hope that her murderer (s) is/are caught and brought to justice soon.

RIP.

Dr Yadu Singh

http://www.facebook.com/DoctorYaduSingh

http://www.twitter.com/dryadusingh

Remembrance vigil for Prabha Arun Kumar, Parramatta Park, 7th March, 2016

Sydney, 7th March, 2016

People assembled at Prabha’s Walk (Lane Way in Parramatta Park connecting Amos Street and Pitt Street) at 7 PM on 7th March, 2016.

I conducted the proceedings, as the co-ordinator of the Vigil.

The remembrance Vigil was to remember and reflect on the brutal murder of Ms Prabha Arun Kumar at 9.30 PM on Saturday, 7th March, 2015, while she was walking from Parramatta Station to her home in Amos Street, Westmead, after finishing the double shift of work that day. Murderer (s) have not been caught yet.

I spoke about the summary of the developments so far since 7th March, 2015. I outlined that from media reports and from Police comments, we know that the motives of Prabha’s brutal murder were not robbery and sexual assault. It was a well-planned and pre-meditated murder. I also said that we are not concerned about who they are, where they live and what their motives were. We just want them to be found, arrested and brought to justice.

About 50 people were present.

Parramatta MP, Mr Geoff Lee, Parramatta Police LAC Commander, Mr Wayne Cox, newly-arrived Consul General of India, H.E. Mr B. Vanlalvuwna and Mr Rajeev Kumar, Vice Consul, Consulate General of India were present.

People walked down in a silent procession from Amos Street side of Laneway (now called Prabha’s Walk) and assembled at the site of the Plaque with the name of Ms Prabha Arun Kumar, which was installed last year.

After welcoming the people, I asked Geoff Lee MP, Commander Wayne Cox and Consul General H.E. Mr B. Vanlalvuwna to say a few words.

Mr Lee talked about the lighting and CCTV installation in the Lane Way after Prabha’s death. He wished that culprits are caught soon.

Mr Cox said that Police are working very hard to crack this heinous crime. There is a specific Unit which is working tirelessly to catch the culprits.

Mr Vanlanvuwna said that he has joined the Consulate only 2 weeks ago, but the file of Prabha’s brutal slaying was the first one he went through to apprise himself of the matter.

A few other members from the community expressed their feelings and sadness. They included Rekha Rajvansi and Sashi Lal. Arti Banga of http://www.DesiAustralia.com and Indira Devi of Blacktown Voice provided commendable support.

Mr Pravin Gupta read out his emotional poem dedicated to Prabha and her daughter, Meghna.

Ms Jaala Edmunds, a woman who lives in the area, laid flowers on the park bench dedicated in Prabha’s memory. She said “I was touched when this happened and very shocked her last moments were spent here. I never met her but I always think about her.”

This was followed by a minute’s silence to reflect on what happened to Prabha and grief of Prabha’s family, especially her daughter, Meghna.

Flowers and Candles were placed at the bench, which has the Plaque on the name of Prabha.

National Media, local media and a few from Indian ethnic media were present.

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I have received this message from Prabha’s brother, Dr Shanker Shetty.

“Hello Dr Singh. I am touched by the effort taken by you and the your team in organising the vigil. I watched the video online and was moved by the no of people  who remembered Prabha even a year after she left Parramatta. 

The tributes online and in the newspapers are reflective of the  way the community has been affected by the incident and the  way they  have responded to this tragic incident.

I do not have the individual contact details of all who are involved /attended this event. On behalf of Prabha’s family, could you please convey our heartfelt thanks to one and all.
I reserve the final word of gratitude to you, You have dedicated your valuable time to some one who you have not met or known. Thank you.”

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http://www.parramattasun.com.au/story/3775192/prabha-remembered-at-community-vigil/

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/parramatta/vigil-to-mark-one-year-anniversary-of-indian-woman-prabha-arun-kumars-murder-in-parramatta-park/news-story/9bf03d3b2e78c830a54304601356ba4b

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Dr Yadu Singh/Co-ordinator, Prabha’s Remembrance Vigil, held on 7th March, 2016

dryadusingh@gmail.com

http://www.twitter.com/dryadusingh

http://www.facebook.com/dryadusingh

 

 

 

 

 

An 18 years old man charged for shootings at a business in Harris Park

April 23, 2015

I am pleased to know that an eighteen years old man has been arrested and charged today for the shootings at a business, owned by an Indian Australian, in Wigram Street, Harris Park on Saturday, 18th April, 2015.

http://www.parramattasun.com.au/story/3031024/charges-laid-following-granville-shooting/

Multiple gun shots (about 10) were fired at the business in a brazen fashion during broad day light at 2.30 PM. A few shots were fired in the air and the remaining were fired through the window, targeting the inside of the business. No one was injured, thankfully, but there were 3 members of the staff inside at the time. There could have been fatalities inside the business. The owner of the premises was away working in a different place of Sydney at the time. Wigram Street was full of people at the time.

After gun shots, the gunman ran away from the crime scene, but his pictures were captured by CCTV. I understand, but can not say with full authority, that he had a minor collision with a car nearby, touching the car with his hands. This car too was identified by the CCTV and was later traced. I understand that finger prints were obtained.

Firing in the broad Day light at a shop in a busy suburb created significant concern and panic among people in general, and Indian Australians in particular. Eggs throwings at the businesses in Harris Park have happened before, but Gun shots have never been fired.

This matter was covered extensively by media in Australia and India.

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http://www.9news.com.au/national/2015/04/19/18/57/staff-hide-as-gunman-shoots-at-sydney-office-in-brazen-daylight-attack?fb_action_ids=953412064692803&fb_action_types=og.shares&fb_source=other_multiline&action_object_map=%5B968276336539215%5D&action_type_map=%5B%22og.shares%22%5D&action_ref_map=%5B%5D

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/world-news/masked-gunman-fires-shots-in-australia-no-one-injured/articleshow/46968598.cms?from=mdr

http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/gunman-on-the-run-as-shots-fired-in-harris-park-20150418-1mny11.html

http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/masked-gunman-fires-shots-in-australia-no-one-injured/article1-1338544.aspx

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We are happy and relieved that the alleged perpetrator has been arrested, charged and produced in a Court, which refused the bail for him.

As the Court proceedings progress, we will know about the motives and people behind these shootings.

NSW Police deserves “Thank you” for a fast and thorough investigation, leading to the arrest and charging of the alleged culprit. I was in Harris Park for several hours on the day and saw how meticulously the local Police did their job. Wigram Street was closed for about 6 hours, while forensic investigation was conducted.

While we are happy with this outcome in this case, we continue to remain concerned that there has not been any arrest and charging of anyone for the cold-blooded murder of Ms Prabha Arun Kumar in a Laneway in Parramatta Park, more than 6  weeks ago, on 7th March, 2015.

Our community is going through serious distress and disquiet about the current status of this crime.

It might be helpful if NSW Police and/or Indian Consulate in Sydney can devise a mechanism to keep the community in the information loop, sharing only that part of information, which does not affect the ongoing investigation.

Dr Yadu Singh, Sydney, NSW

http://www.twitter.com/dryadusingh

http://www.facebook.com/dryadusingh

Sad and shocked with brutal murder of Ms Prabha Arun Kumar in Westmead, NSW

Press release:

9th March, 2015

Indian Australian community is sad & shocked with the brutal murder of Indian IT professional, Ms Prabha Arun Kumar in Sydney, NSW.

Ms Kumar was stabbed to death in a lane way connecting Park Parade, Parramatta and Amos Street, Westmead, NSW at 9.30 PM on Saturday, 7th March, 2015. At the time of the attack, she was on phone with her husband in India.

She was from Bangalore, India and was on work visa, working for a software company in Sydney. She was due to return to India next month. She is survived by her husband and a 9 year old daughter.

Prabha Arun Kumar It is a tragic and heart-breaking news. Our heart goes out to her family, especially her husband and daughter.

We know that NSW Police is investigating this crime to find the culprits, responsible for this heinous crime. We want them to keep our community in the information loop, as there is massive concern and grief in the community.

We ask local Police, Parramatta Council and Parramatta Park Trust to do an urgent review of the area to figure out and fix the security black-spots in that area. Lightening and CCTV facilities should be installed and improved if that is what needs to be done to improve safety and security of people in the area.

We ask Premier Mike Baird and NSW Labor’s leader, Luke Foley, to outline their plans for crime control and for safety and security in the area specifically, and Western Sydney generally.

We also urge people to be aware of their personal safety each and every time they venture out of their home, whether it is for work or leisure.

We appeal to people to contact local Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 if they have any info, which might help Police to arrest the perpetrators and solve this heinous crime.

Dr Yadu Singh

President, Indian Australian Association of NSW Inc

0413 375 669

http://www.facebook.com/indaus.nsw

http://www.facebook.com/dryadusingh

http://www.twitter.com/dryadusingh

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PS: I have visited the area this morning and have spoken with some members of the community.