21-year-old Tarikjot Singh has pleaded guilty to the murder of Adelaide nursing student Jasmeen Kaur.
Jasmeen’s body was found in South Australia’s Flinders Ranges.
In March 2021, Tarikjot was accused of abducting Jasmine, killing her, and then dumping her body in a shallow grave.
Jasmeen’s remains were found more than 400 kilometres away from where she was last seen by the SA Police. Her ID and shoes were found stuffed in an outback bin.
Jasmeen had been living with her aunt and uncle in Adelaide. She was also working as an aged care worker while studying to become a nurse.
Rashpal Gathwal, Jasmeen’s mother who resides in India, then said in a media statement to 7NEWS:
“I regret the day I said yes to sending my daughter to Australia. I didn’t know dropping her at the airport would be the last time I gave her a hug. I miss my daughter everyday.”
Police claimed that Jasmeen was “taken by force” by Tarikjot after finishing her shift at Southern Cross Homes in North Plympton just before 10 pm on March 5.
Earlier, Tarikjot pleaded not guilty and was due to stand trial. However, in in the Supreme Court Tarikjot changed his plea to guilty.
Outside court, Jasmeen’s aunt told media that the family was “pleased and satisfied” with the guilty plea.
“Nothing will bring Jasmeen back, but we are pleased she will get some justice.”
In 2021, Jasmeen’s family and friends visited the shallow grave where she was buried and planted native plants, laid teddies and flowers, and prayed.
Murder carries a mandatory minimum 20-year non-parole period in South Australia and now this matter returns to court in April 2023.