Fijian childcare worker accused of rape allowed to leave Australia before trial

A Fijian childcare worker accused of raping a four-year-old girl in Queensland was allowed to leave Australia before his trial — a decision that has left the victim’s family devastated and questioning the country’s justice system.

A Current Affair, Australia reported that Arvind Ajay Singh, a 39-year-old Fijian national, was charged by Queensland Police in May 2022 with one count of rape. 

He was granted bail while the case progressed through the courts. 

In April 2023, the matter was committed to the District Court, where Singh remained on bail.

But in May this year, Singh was placed in immigration detention after his visa was cancelled. 

By July 5, 2025, the Australian Border Force had removed him from the country, despite active criminal charges and a pending trial.

The victim’s parents told A Current Affair that the failure of multiple government agencies had left them broken.

“I don’t understand how the whole system could fail a four-year-old little girl,” the girl’s father said. 

“Why aren’t all these departments talking to each other? How does this even happen? It shouldn’t happen at all.”

His wife added: “No other family or child should be put through this. The system needs to change so that this never happens again.”

Agencies Defend Actions

The Department of Home Affairs declined to comment on individual cases, citing privacy reasons. Minister Tony Burke also refused to comment on the record.

It is understood the department has blamed Queensland Police for not applying for a Criminal Justice Visa to keep Singh in the country — a claim police reject.

A Queensland Police Service (QPS) spokesperson said officers had worked “collaboratively with partner agencies, including the Department of Home Affairs and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), to ensure all legislative and procedural requirements were met.”

“The Queensland Police Service remains committed to ensuring all persons criminally charged are held to account for their actions and will explore all avenues available, including extradition, if appropriate,” the spokesperson added.

The ODPP confirmed Singh’s case is listed for a pre-trial hearing at Maroochydore District Court on September 26, 2025. If Singh fails to return, prosecutors will seek a warrant and apply for his extradition.

Official Statements

• ODPP: “The defendant was taken into immigration detention by Australian Border Force in May 2025. Australian Border Force removed the defendant from the country on 5 July 2025. Australian Border Force was made aware of the active charges and court proceedings in relation to Singh in June 2023. The Office will be requesting that the matter be given a trial listing, and if the defendant fails to return, the ODPP will apply for a warrant and apply for extradition.”

• Home Affairs: “For privacy reasons, the Department cannot comment on individual cases. All non-citizens who wish to travel to, enter or remain in Australia must satisfy the requirements of the Migration Act 1958 (the Act) and the Migration Regulations 1994, including identity, health, character and security requirements.”

• QPS: “A 39-year-old Fijian national was charged with one count of rape by Queensland Police on 19 May 2022 and released on bail pending further court proceedings. In April 2023, the matter was committed to the District Court, and the individual remained on bail. During the course of these proceedings, the individual’s visa was cancelled. In May 2025, the person was located by Australian Border Force and placed in detention. Throughout this process, the Queensland Police Service worked collaboratively with partner agencies …”

For the victim’s family, though, official statements provide little comfort.

Their daughter’s case now depends on whether Singh will ever be extradited back to Australia to face justice.