North Parramatta: Meraj Zafar pleads not guilty to murdering wife Arnima Hayat

A man accused of murdering his teenage wife after the aspiring doctor’s body was found in a bathtub full of acid will go to trial. Read the latest.

Meraj Zafar is accused of murdering his wife.

A man charged with killing his 19-year-old wife at their North Parramatta apartment has pleaded not guilty to murder.

Meraj Zafar was charged with murdering Arnima Hayat after her body was found in a bathtub full of acid at their North Parramatta unit on January 30 last year.

Police discovered Ms Hayat’s decomposed body submerged in a bath in the bathroom of the Pennant Hills Rd unit about 4.30pm after they forced their way into the home.

Police alleged Zafar murdered his partner between noon and 5pm.

The following day, the apprentice builder was charged with murder after he attended Bankstown police station.

Ms Hayat was a second-year medical student and aspiring surgeon.

At Parramatta Local Court on Thursday, Zafar, 21, appeared via video link and his lawyer Javid Faiz told the court his client would plead not guilty.

Zafar confirmed the plea before Magistrate Peter Feather, who said the matter would go to trial and set the arraignment for the Supreme Court on July 7.

Earlier, Mr Faiz requested an adjournment but Mr Feather refused another delay because the matter was first heard in court on February 1 last year.

Zafar’s bail remains refused.