This article contains references to domestic violence.
Highlights
- Arnima Hayat was found dead in a chemical-filled bathtub at her western Sydney home on 30 January
- The 19-year-old has been remembered by her parents as ‘honest, polite and gentle’
- Ms Hayat’s partner Meraj Zafar has been charged with murder
Arnima Hayat’s parents have remembered their daughter as “honest, polite and gentle” after the medicine student was allegedly murdered by her partner, Meraj Zafar, in western Sydney.
The 19-year-old’s body was found by police in a chemical-filled bathtub at her North Parramatta home on Pennant Hills Road at about 4.30pm on Sunday, 30 January.
Mr Zafar, 20, handed himself in at Bankstown Police Station at about 12:30pm on Monday before being arrested and charged with murder.
Mr Zafar, who was refused bail, did not appear in person or via audio visual link at his first mention in Bankstown Local Court on Tuesday before magistrate Shane McAnulty.
Police allege Mr Zafar murdered Ms Hayat between Saturday and Sunday, according to court documents.
The court hearing is scheduled for 5 April.
NSW Police officers at the scene where a woman was found dead inside an apartment at North Parramatta, Sydney, 31 January, 2022. Source: AAP
A family grieves
Arnima’s parents, Abu and Mahfuza Hayat, told SBS Bangla of their suffering following the death of their daughter.
“My daughter has been killed; how can we be keeping well, brother? We were so shocked. This is the biggest loss in my life,” said Mr Hayat.
Mrs Hayat said, “I can't talk. I can't hear anything. My heart shatters with this pain.”
The Hayats, who are of Bangladeshi origin, said Arnima was in her second year of studying medicine at the University of Western Sydney.
Mr Hayat came to Australia in 2006 and brought out his wife and daughter in October 2012.
“Arnima was 9 or 10 years old then. She was in year four,” he said.
“As a child, she was always good, very good, very talented. Furthermore, she was honest, polite and gentle.
“She would sometimes be naughty and prank us. However, she had so much love towards us.”
Mr Hayat recalled eagerly awaiting his temporary residence visa so his wife and daughter could join him in Australia.
“When I left her in Bangladesh [and came to Australia], she would call me and say, ‘Dad, when are you going to take me to Australia? Dad, when are we going to Australia?'
“I told her, ‘Mum [daughter], I will take you very soon. I’ll see if I get the temporary residency [then] I'll take you.’”
NSW Police officers at the scene where a woman was found dead inside an apartment at North Parramatta, Sydney, 31 January, 2022. Source: AAP
Mr Hayat said they will not get the chance to properly farewell Arnima.
“Her body was so disfigured she could not be identified. Yesterday [Wednesday], the detectives took DNA from us, from me and my wife, and they will release the body once the DNA test is complete.
“We've been arranging a burial in Rookwood, and we have already talked to the Lakemba Grand Mosque. Once the body arrives, they will organise the whole thing.
“Insha'Allah, we hope we will get [the corpse] tomorrow morning [Friday]. Because the DNA test takes 24 hours. Maybe that will be today and they will release it tomorrow [Friday] morning.”
A tearful Mrs Hayat said she cannot accept the nature of her daughter’s death.
“She was killed, OK. But why was my daughter dipped in acid? I can't even see my daughter's body. I want justice, brother.
Why did I come to Australia with my daughter? My daughter was doing well in Bangladesh. Why did I come to Australia and lose my daughter?
Arnima's paternal uncle, Abu Saleh Sheikh, who came to Australia in 2017, said Arnima was “talented” and “always had a smile on her face”.
“She was very respectful to me as my niece, and I was very proud of her as her uncle and always loved her and showed affection towards her. In a word, great.”
He said Arnima's parents are struggling to come to terms with their daughter’s killing.
"They have been at my house since last Sunday when the police found Arnima’s body. I try to offer them as much mental support as I can. But, you understand, they are very saddened.”
Mohammad Shah Zaman Titu, a former Canterbury-Bankstown City Councillor who has known the Hayat family for almost 10 years, condemned the “heinous, heinous crime”.
“[Mr Hayat’s] business is here in Lakemba. He has been here a long time, which is why we have developed a relationship.
“Since my business is in this area, and I was a public representative in this area, I know more or less everyone here. From what I saw, [Arnima] was a very cheerful, good and calm girl. She would come into my store naturally and... I saw a happy girl.”
Mr Zaman said the bereaved family can take solace in a “very fair” legal system.
"Everything is in the hands of law and order in this country.
“However, we are social creatures. The way we live socially, we take care of the family by giving them comfort, emotional comfort, as well as trying to ensure a proper burial.”
If you or someone you know is impacted by family and domestic violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au. In an emergency, call 000.
