As bureaucratic bungles go, it’s as bad as it gets.

Arvind Ajay Singh, a Fijian national working in childcare is accused of a shocking crime against a four-year-old girl and charged by Queensland Police.

Then more than three years later, before he goes to trial, Australia’s Home Affairs Department lets him leave the country, devastating the victim’s family.

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Arvind Ajay Singh, a Fijian national working in childcare, is accused of a shocking crime against a four-year-old girl.Arvind Ajay Singh, a Fijian national working in childcare, is accused of a shocking crime against a four-year-old girl. (A Current Affair)

The girl cannot be identified by law, her parents spoke to A Current Affair about their anger.

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

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

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The victim's mother believes the system needs to be changed "so that this never happens again".The victim’s mother believes the system needs to be changed “so that this never happens again”. (A Current Affair)

The victim’s mother believes the system needs to be changed “so that this never happens again”.

“No other family or child should be put through this,” she said.

A Home Affairs spokesperson said it can’t comment on individual cases “for privacy reasons”. Minister Tony Burke also declined to comment on the record.

It’s understood the department is blaming the Queensland Police Service for failing to pursue a Criminal Justice Visa to keep Singh in the country, a claim it rejects.

A QPS spokesperson said it “worked collaboratively with partner agencies, including the Department of Home Affairs and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, 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 to facilitate this.”

A spokesperson from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions said if the defendant fails to return, it will seek a warrant for his extradition.

Adding that Australian Border Force was “made aware of the active charges and court proceedings in relation to Singh in June 2023.”

Statement from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions

“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 matter is listed for a pre-trial hearing in the Maroochydore District Court on 26 September 2025.

“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.”

Statement from the Home Affairs Department

  • 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.

Statement from Queensland Police

The following can be attributed to a QPS spokesperson:

A 39-year-old Fijian national was charged with one count of rape by Queensland Police on the 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, including the Department of Home Affairs and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, 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 to facilitate this.

As this matter relates to ongoing criminal proceedings, it would not be appropriate to provide further comment.