Deepshikha Godara’s murder by her estranged husband Sunil Beniwal shocked the Indian community in December 2014.
Deepshikha was strangled to death by Sunil who later panicked and stabbed her neck. He then took his own life by driving Deepshikha’s car into a truck the next morning.
Now a new report published by reveals the disturbing and turbulent relationship shared by Deepshikha and her husband Sunil.
The couple got married in 2007 in India. It was an arranged marriage. The pair moved to Melbourne and the court documents of the case reveal that in the first year of marriage itself, Ms Godara told her family back in India about how her husband was ‘mentally and physically torturing’ her.
In Melbourne, Ms Godara called the cops on number of occasions but still continued to stay with Beniwal as she did not want to dishonour her family in India.
State Coroner Judge Sarah Hinchey found Sunil Beniwal, on the other hand, had a history of anxiety and depression, was an alcoholic and had even cheated on his wife. He often slapped her and hit her. He once burnt Deepshikha’s skin with hot tongs.
While undergoing psychiatric treatment, he even revealed that he wanted a ‘better-looking partner’. His fixation with a good looking partner made it difficult for him to be satisfied in his marriage, the report states.
Inspite of the physical and mental harassment and abuse, Deepshika stayed with him. They also had a son in 2011.
Violent crimes against Deepshikha were known to Victoria Police. A 12 month Family Violence Intervention order was taken out against Sunil in 2009 which warned him that he would be seriously punished if he was physically violent towards her.
The couple got married in India in 2007. Source: Facebook
Between 2009 and 2011, Deepshikha did not report any violence to police. But in June 2012, the police was called to their home again. The police heard that the couple had an argument over Mr Beniwal’s extramarital fling when he threw a beer bottle on Deepshikha and slapped her in the face.
Following this, Beniwal was handed another 2 year Family Violence Intervention order in December 2012.
Two years later, in 2014, Deepshikha moved in with her partner whom she met at work.
The couple meanwhile shared the custody of their child and kept up their appearances before their family in India.
Source: Facebook
Deepshika, Sunil and their child travelled to India to attend a family wedding to show all was well with them.
But when they returned to Melbourne in December 2014, Ms Godara told her new partner Mr Beniwal had once threatened her and told her he was going to bury her “up the bush”.
Just 2 days after that conversation, Deepshikha was found dead at Sunil’s house in Deer Park, in Melbourne.
Deepshikha had gone there to pick up her son.
Sunil had strangled her to death, panicked and stabbed her in the neck.
When Deepshikha did not return home, her partner drew past Sunil’s house where he saw Deepshikha’s car. Sunil was standing outside and smoking.
Deepshikha did not return home that night and that she was dead, was only learnt the next day morning when Sunil drove Deepshikha’s car into a truck, ending his own life. A suicide note was found in his pocket which read that he had no option but to end his life.
Police went to Mr Beniwal’s home in Deer Park, in Melbourne’s west, and found Ms Godara's body in the ensuite. Her 3-year-old boy was in the house at the time of her murder and was heard crying through the night by neighbours.
For those needing help, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14. National domestic violence helpline: 1800 737 732 or 1800RESPECT. In an emergency call triple-zero.
