An Australian man has been sentenced to over 21 years in jail for killing his pregnant wife and disposing of her body in a bath of acid. Meraj Zafar, 23, appeared via video link in the Supreme Court in Sydney on Thursday, Dec. 19, where Justice Deborah Sweeney delivered the verdict. Zafar and Arnima Hayat, 19, married in a private Islamic ceremony in October 2021. Hayat’s body was found months later after Zafar killed her at their home in North Parramatta, Sydney. Zafar pleaded guilty in May and was sentenced to 21 years and six months, with a non-parole period of 16 years. He will be eligible for parole in 2038. The court heard that Zafar murdered his wife by obstructing her breathing or smothering her. His apparent motive was his anger at the prospect of Hayat leaving him. The judge stated that the offense occurred in the victim’s home, where she was entitled to feel safe. The victim’s mother and father were devastated by the verdict, with her father saying Zafar had “burned the face I used to talk to and kiss every night.” Hayat had texted a friend saying “I have nobody except you” the day before her death, and also expressed her fear and plans to leave her husband due to his violent behavior.
According to a report by 9News, when PEOPLE reached out to the Supreme Court of New South Wales (NSW) for a response, there was no immediate reply. The NSW Police Force mentioned that they could not offer further information as the case was currently under the jurisdiction of the court.
