An Indo-Fijian childcare worker charged with allegedly raping a four-year-old girl has fled Australia before facing trial, leaving the child’s devastated family demanding answers from authorities.
9News reported that Arvind Ajay Singh, 39, was accused of sexually assaulting a girl in his care at a Sunshine Coast childcare centre in 2022.
It further reported that Singh was remanded in custody before being granted bail in April 2023, with strict conditions including the surrender of his passport and a ban on entering airports.
However, after repeated delays in the case, Singh was found by Australian Border Force in May this year and placed in immigration detention as an “illegal non-citizen.”
It is reported that despite his bail conditions, Singh somehow regained access to his passport and, in July, was allowed to voluntarily return to Fiji.
In August, he failed to appear at Maroochydore District Court, leaving the trial in limbo. Prosecutors must now pursue extradition orders.
The little girl’s parents told A Current Affair they felt utterly betrayed by the system. “I don’t understand how the whole system could fail a four-year-old little girl,” her father said.
“Why aren’t all these departments talking to each other? How does this even happen?”
Her mother demanded urgent reforms to prevent accused offenders leaving Australia ahead of trial. “No other family or child should be put through this,” she said. “It’s fallen down at every step.”
A Home Affairs spokesperson told Daily Mail that it could not comment on individual cases for privacy reasons, while Minister Tony Burke also declined to comment.
The case returns to Maroochydore District Court on Friday for a pre-trial hearing. The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions confirmed that if Singh does not return, a warrant will be sought for his extradition.
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.
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