Charlotte Foster
Caring

Grandfather killed after being mistaken for kidnapper

An Indian grandfather has been tragically killed in a one-punch attack after being mistaken for a kidnapper. 

Mewa Singh, 60, was visiting his son and grandson in Christchurch when he suffered the fatal blow at the hands of a stranger.

His 32-year-old attacker, whose name has been suppressed, was spending time at a park on April 7th 2023 with his son when he drove off and left his child behind to “teach his son a lesson” after the boy was misbehaving, according to Stuff.

When he returned a short time late to pick up his son, the man saw a stranger, later identified as Singh, holding his son’s hand near a bus stop and became enraged, shoving Singh and yelling “that’s my f****** son”.

He drove the child back to his ex-partner’s house and explained the situation, when his son allegedly said, Singh was “trying to walk him to daddy’s car”. 

The man then decided to drive back to the park to find Singh, where he confronted the grandfather by grabbing his shirt collar and accusing him of trying to abduct his son.

He then delivered a “haymaker-style punch” to his jaw, which caused Singh to fall backwards and hit his head on the pavement.

Believing Singh to be dead, his attacker left and told his ex-partner he thought he killed him, prompting her to phone emergency services.

Despite being treated in the ICU at Christchurch Hospital, Singh did not regain consciousness and died on April 9th.

Singh’s attacker faced Christchurch High Court on Friday, when he pleaded guilty to manslaughter, and is scheduled to be sentenced in October. 

Speaking to Stuff about the attack 15 months on, Singh’s son Himanshu Keshwer said his family was still beyond devastated at the sudden loss.

“He was a very good human being,” he said.

Keshwer said what happened to his father was “totally unfair”.

“Someone killed my dad and I couldn’t do anything, and still can’t do anything,” he told the outlet.

“It makes me sad, it shouldn’t have happened.”

fundraiser was launched to support Singh’s family and transport his body back to India, raising $16,316, which exceeded the $15,000 goal.

Image credits: givealittle.co.nz

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caring, Mewa Singh, grandfather, one-punch attack