Ishtpal Singh asks court for antidepressants after allegedly murdering Anmoral Bajwa at Mambourin playground

A man accused of murdering father of two Anmoral Bajwa (pictured) at a children’s playground in Mambourin has told a court he requires medication as he prepares for his first stint behind bars.

A man accused of murdering a beloved father found dead under a picnic table has told a court he needs antidepressants as he prepares for his first stint behind bars.

Ishtpal Singh, 31, was hauled into the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday after he was charged overnight with the murder of Mambourin man Anmoral Bajwa.

His body was discovered by a passer-by on Tuesday morning under a picnic table at a playground off Elementary Rd in Mambourin, a new suburb near Wyndham Vale in Melbourne’s west.

Mr Bajwa, 36, is believed to have lived less than 200m away from where his body was found.

No details of the alleged murder were aired in court, but Mr Singh and Mr Bajwa are believed to be known to each other.

Ishtpal Singh has been charged with one count of murder. Picture: Supplied

Mr Singh’s defence lawyer Michael Haralambous told magistrate Matthew Page it was his client’s first time in custody.

The court heard Mr Singh suffers from depression and takes an antidepressant, which he has requested while in the Melbourne Custody Centre.

Mr Singh, from Brookfield, made no application for bail and was remanded in custody.

He will return to court on May 23 for a committal mention.

Anmoral Bajwa has been identified as the man found dead at Mambourin on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Mr Bajwa has been remembered as a family man who was always there for his two children.

“Anmoral was a community and family-oriented person who worked hard to build a better life in Australia,” an online tribute and fundraiser read.

“His kindness, wisdom, and unwavering support will forever remain in our hearts.”

Mr Bajwa is believed to have died less than 200m from his home.

Fellow loved one Babbu Khehra described Mr Bajwa as a kind and wise man.

“He was a source of love, light and inspiration to everyone who had the privilege of knowing him,” he said.

“His kindness, wisdom and unwavering support will forever remain in our hearts.”

On Tuesday morning, police were forced to stop a grieving loved one after he ran through the crime scene towards the body.

“Let me see him,” he yelled, before he was moved away and spoken to by officers.

Police talk to a man who lifted police tape and ran onto the crime scene. Picture: David Crosling

Mambourin resident Davina Claire said she was thankful the school term had not yet begun, with Mr Bajwa’s body found only metres from Laa Yulta Primary School.

“We’re new to the neighbourhood. We just moved in a few months ago,” she said.

“We’ve got children that go to the school across the road and go to that park all the time.

“To now see that something like this has happened, we’re definitely very scared to bring them back.

“Imagine if school had been back? Our children would have been exposed to that. It’s not safe at all.”

The man’s body was found early Tuesday morning. Picture: David Crosling

Fellow local Rosetter said she was “worried” for the children in the estate who may have seen or heard Mr Bajwa’s death.

“I’m a bit shaken, I was with my dogs and I was going to the park to get them some water and I see that,” she said.

“It’s making me a bit uncomfortable.”

Another nearby resident, who was too fearful to be identified, said she would not be sending her children to the park any time soon.

She said a street brawl broke out metres from the crime scene three days ago.

“It’s very frightening. It’s very scary. We don’t feel safe walking around now,” she said.

Detectives at the playground on Tuesday. Picture: David Crosling

Separately, a man has been arrested after another body was discovered by emergency services responding to a grass fire at Quambatook, 60km south of Swan Hill.

The body of a person, who is yet to be identified, was located near the Quambatook Cemetery Reserve near Knight and Cemetery roads on Tuesday morning.

Homicide squad detectives on Wednesday morning arrested a 67-year-old Quambatook man in the Welshmans Reef area, nearly 200km from the crime scene.

He was arrested without incident and is due to be quizzed by detectives on Wednesday afternoon.

Details of the person’s death are still unclear and no charges have been laid.

The rural Mallee town is home to about 229 people, recent census data shows.