Indian-origin restaurateur stabbed to death inside bank in UK

An Indian-origin man, Gurvinder Singh Johal, was stabbed to death inside a bank in the eastern England city of Derby. Police were called to Lloyd's Bank branch in St Peter's Street, Derby, at around 2.30 pm on Tuesday afternoon (May 6), and despite an air ambulance attending to Johal, he was pronounced dead at the scene, the Daily Mail reported. He was 37.

A Somali-origin man, 47, who has been identified as Haybe Cabdiraxmaan Nur, from Normanton in Derby, was arrested and charged with his murder on Thursday.

Johal was a restaurateur. He was the owner of Hen and Chickens Bar and Grill restaurant in Shelton Lock. He is survived by three children and a wife.

JOHAL WAS A 'GOOD FRIEND AND A SMILER': FAMILY FRIEND

Johal had just returned from a family trip to India with his wife, children and extended family, a family friend of his told the BBC. The friend also said that Johal was "a good friend" and "a smiler". A friend said Johal had visited the Lloyds branch to deposit his restaurant's weekend earnings, as he couldn't do it on Monday due to the bank holiday.

Samanatha Shallow, Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor in the East Midlands, said, "After a review of the evidence provided by Derbyshire Constabulary, we have authorised criminal charges in relation to the death of 37-year-old Gurvinder Johal."

A second suspect, a man in his 30s, was arrested but later released without charge or further action in connection with the incident.

ACCUSED APPEARED BEFORE THE COURT

The accused appeared at Southern Derbyshire Magistrates’ Court via video-link on Thursday, where he spoke only to confirm his identity with the assistance of a Somali interpreter.

He has been remanded in custody and is scheduled to appear before Derby Crown Court for his next hearing.

The hearing was attended by family members of Johal, who was known to friends as Danny, news agency PTI reported.

"Our thoughts remain with the family of Mr Johal at this time. The Crown Prosecution Service reminds all concerned that criminal proceedings against the defendant are active and that he has the right to a fair trial," Shallow said.

"It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings," Shallow added.