Biryani barney for trial
FIVE Indian-nationals accused of storming a Surfers Paradise curry restaurant and stabbing the owner and his wife as a part of an ongoing business feud have been committed to stand trial.
The wounding was the culmination of ongoing bickering between one of the men, Sanjeev Kaushal, and the India Gate owner Gagandeep Singh after they severed a business relationship about eight years ago.
The five men allegedly burst into the India Gate eatery just after 10pm on October 9 last year armed with a stone and knives and stabbed Singh in the head four or five times and stabbed his wife Gurjeet Kaur in the hands.
The police case was described by one lawyer as “pathetic”.
Kaushal, Jatinder Singh Bajwa, Narinder Singh Bajwa, Jassi Jaswinder Singh and Sukhjinder Singh will all face charges of assault occasioning bodily harm, wounding, stealing and wilful damage when the matter goes to trial in the Southport District Court in the coming months.
India Gate chef Francis D’Costa admitted on the stand in the Southport Magistrates Court Singh had told him in Hindi to lie to police about whether the men entered the restaurant with a knife.
The conversation was captured by police body worn camera vision.
Mr Singh and Kaushal owned a curry restaurant together between 2007 and 2010 before their relationship turned toxic with allegations Mr Singh was using drugs.
Mr Singh told the court Kaushal had been making threatening phone calls to him, including one just before the five men stormed the curry place.
“We were no longer friends,” Mr Singh said yesterday.
“(Kaushal) was not happy that he was unsuccessful in his other business and my restaurant was doing well.”
Ms Kaur said she saw one of the men carrying a stone but did not remember when they were carrying the knife.
Mr Singh was left with a cut above his eye and knocked unconscious for five minutes and Ms Kaur was left with cuts on her hands.
The pair locked themselves in a bathroom.
The group allegedly Ms Kaur’s mobile phone
Defence barrister Alistair McDougall, acting for the Bajwa brothers, said there was a weak case for his clients to answer.
“The Crown he said.
Magistrate Gary Finger agreed to remove some bail conditions, including reporting requirements and that there be no contact between the five men. case is took pathetic,”