Bangladeshi student Sifat Md Isfaqur Rahman’s alleged murderer Brendan Kantilla seeks mental health assessment

A man was likely in the grips of a mental health crisis when he allegedly bashed in the head of an international student during a violent home invasion in Darwin, a Supreme Court judge heard.

A man was likely in the grips of a mental health crisis when he allegedly bashed in the head of an international student during a violent home invasion, the Supreme Court has heard

Brendan Kantilla is set to face a Supreme Court jury over the murder of 23-year-old Bangladeshi national ‘Sifat’ Md Isfaqur Rahman on May 3, 2023.

It is alleged the then 29-year-old broke into student’s Millner share house and attacked the young man his room.

Md Sifat Isfaqur Rahman. Picture: Supplied

Police alleged Mr Rahman was found by his roommates in bed with critical head injuries, after they woke to the sound of someone in their yard.

Mr Rahman spent 36 hours on life support before he died from the traumatic brain injury on Thursday, May 4.

He had only arrived in Darwin three months earlier to study engineering at Charles Darwin University.

Mr Rahman allegedly paid about $100 a week in rent for a space in the three-bedroom home which he shared with 12 to 13 other people.

Md Sifat Isfaqur Rahman paid about $100 a week in rent for his home in Millner, which he shared with 12-13 people. The house is listed as a three-bedroom house with one bathroom.

A year and a half after his death, Mr Kantilla remains on remand waiting for his Supreme Court trial facing four charges including murder, aggravated burglary and theft.

It remains unknown who will run the Crown’s case during the 10-day trial, since former prosecutor Steve Ledek has been appointed as a local court Judge.

On Thursday Prosecutor Deborah Mandie told the Supreme Court the high-profile murder case would be “reallocated shortly”.

His defence barrister Beth Wild said a preliminary report into Mr Kantilla’s mental health at the time of the alleged murder was being assessed.

Ms Wild said the report would evaluate his potential “diminished responsibility” for the alleged attack, due to mental impairment.

She asked for a six week adjournment to complete the mental health assessment, which will also determine his fitness to plead.

Justice Sonia Brownhill said while the outline of the crown case had been confirmed, she was still waiting for the final witness list ahead of the trial set for November 24.

The matter was adjourned to April 15 for a further pre-trial mention.

Originally published as Bangladeshi student Sifat Md Isfaqur Rahman’s alleged murderer Brendan Kantilla seeks mental health assessment