Ormond stabbing

Overseas student identified as man killed while trying to break up argument about rent

May 08, 2024
Police found two men with stab wounds outside the home in Ormond (pictured)
  • Man stabbed in brawl identified as international student

Family and friends are remembering a young guy who was slain while attempting to break up a quarrel as a "bright and aspiring" overseas student. 

At approximately 1.30 am on Saturday, a dispute broke out at a house in Ormond, in Melbourne's southeast, resulting in the suspected stabbing death of 22-year-old Navjeet Singh Sandhu. 

While the other man, who was also unnamed and in his 30s, was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, Mr. Sandhu passed away at the site. 

The international student was the only son of a 'humble farmer family' in India and died 'while trying to mediate a fight', according to a GoFundMe page. 

'Navjeet came to Australia on a student visa with hopes of securing a better future for his family back home,' organiser Gurmeet Singh wrote.

'He was the sole son of his parents and a loving brother to two sisters. Navjeet's journey was fueled by the dreams of his entire family. 

'To make this possible, his parents sold their agricultural land, investing all their hopes in his success and future contributions.

'However, this dream was shattered when Navjeet was taken from us too soon, leaving behind a devastated family without their main pillar of hope.'

The fundraiser is asking for money to send Mr Sandhu's body back to India and provide some help for his now financially-stricken family. 

It's understood he first moved to Australia on a study visa in November 2022. 

A friend of Mr Sandhu's who previously lived in the Ormond home had asked if he would accompany him to pick up his belongings, The Times of India reports. 

An argument erupted shortly after the pair arrived, with the publication reporting Sandhu was stabbed three times in the chest. 

Police arrested two brothers; Abhijeet Abhijeet, 26, and Robin Gartan, 27, on Tuesday after they were tracked down in Goulburn, NSW, after allegedly fleeing the scene. 

Detectives travelled up from Victoria for a hearing scheduled to be held at Goulburn Local Court on Wednesday. 

Investigators are expected to apply to have the brothers extradited back to Victoria.