A Fijian national accused of raping a four-year-old girl in Australia could soon be extradited from Fiji after he was allowed to leave that country despite facing serious criminal charges.
Arvind Ajay Singh, 39, was charged in 2022 with raping a child in his care at a Sunshine Coast childcare centre, where he worked. He reportedly returned to Fiji and failed to appear in the Maroochydore District Court in August this year, prompting Australian prosecutors to seek his extradition.
Australian media reports say a bench warrant has been issued for Singh’s arrest. The case has triggered outrage in Australia after revelations that immigration officials allowed Singh to leave the country even though he was facing trial.
During a Senate Estimates hearing this week, Liberal Senator Claire Chandler questioned Home Affairs officials over how such a lapse could occur.
“How is it that the department let a childcare worker standing trial for the rape of a four-year-old girl leave the country?” she asked.
Senior Home Affairs officials explained that under Australian law, the department must deport anyone staying unlawfully in the country unless police issue a special criminal justice certificate allowing them to remain while facing charges. However, the officials declined to confirm whether this procedure was followed in Singh’s case, citing privacy concerns.
The Department of Home Affairs has admitted it was aware of Singh’s active charges two years before his departure, raising concerns about poor communication between government agencies.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions in Queensland also confirmed that Border Force had been notified of Singh’s charges and court proceedings before he left Australia.
Authorities in Fiji are now expected to work with their Australian counterparts as extradition proceedings are initiated.
