Life Sentence for Indian Man Who Stabbed Hooked-up Girlfriend 32 Times
Senthill Kumar Arumugam, a 36‑year‑old Indian national, was handed a life term by the Queensland Supreme Court last Friday in Brisbane, after the brutal murder of Singaporean Meena Narayanan in 2014.
How the Tragic Event Unfolded
- Arumugam and Narayanan met on an arranged‑marriage website in November 2013.
- They got acquainted in person in December 2013, and their families met in India the next February.
- In March 2014, Arumugam arrived in Brisbane on a tourist visa and checked into a hotel room in Mount Gravatt.
- He allegedly stabbed the 27‑year‑old 32 times and slashed her throat before slashing himself to fake a “suicide pact.”
The “Suicide Pact” Tale
The judge, Justice David Boddice, called the act a “horrendous act of violence” and noted that when police arrived, Arumugam was lying beside the corpse, claiming the wife had asked him to help her die. Based on evidence, the court said Arumugam’s claim was merely a cover‑up.
Psychiatric Defense Weakens
Arumugam had gone through extensive mental health treatment while awaiting trial. Psychiatrists confirmed he displayed genuine psychotic symptoms when in custody, but the judge described him as having exaggerated those symptoms to avoid responsibility.
Foley’s Irony
In an attempt to make his story believable, Arumugam allegedly stabbed himself at carefully chosen spots that would “minimise risk” – a move that, once revealed, only added to the narrative’s absurdity.
He Was Motivated by Jealousy
According to the prosecution, Arumugam was enraged that Narayanan pursued another relationship in Australia. His meticulous planning and “calculated” execution, the judge added, made the attack all the more chilling.
Potential Parole
He may apply for parole only after completing 20 years of his life sentence.
Summary in a Nutshell
Arumugam’s journey from an arranged‑marriage match to a 32‑stabbing, throat‑slashing tragedy ended with a life sentence and a lingering threat that he might use a mental‑health plea again, but the court’s decisive verdict means that’s far from a viable escape route.
