Indian-origin woman faces life term in US for killing 9-yr-old stepdaughter

An Indian-origin woman faces 25 years to life in prison in the United States for strangling her 9-year-old step-daughter to death as federal prosecutors charged her with the murder and her ex-husband for obstructing the investigation.

Arjun Shamdai Pardas, 55, was arraigned on Sunday before Queens Criminal Court Judge Gerald Lebovits on a criminal complaint charging her with one count of second-degree murder -- an intentional killing that is not premeditated -- of Ashdeep Kaur.

Pardas, who faces up to 25 years to life in prison if convicted, was ordered held without bail.

She will return to court on September 2.

Pardas' former husband Raymond Narayan, 65, is being held on charges of obstructing governmental administration and faces up to a year in jail and a $1,000 fine if convicted.

Queens District Attorney Richard Brown said Pardas' actions are "beyond comprehension" and she will be brought to book.

"This is a horrifying case of a child, a defenceless nine-year-old, who was left in the care of her stepmother who allegedly strangled her to death. Her actions, if true, are beyond comprehension and must be severely punished," Brown said.

Queens Assistant District Attorney Michael Curtis said Pardas repeatedly and on numerous occasions threatened to kill the victim, "most recently doing so this past Tuesday. On Friday, she made good on that threat."

Ashdeep had arrived in the US from India three months ago and was living with her father Sukhjinder Singh and Pardas in an apartment in Queens that was shared with another couple.

The housemate had seen Ashdeep go in the bathroom with Pardas, who later came out alone and left the building. She allegedly said that Ashdeep was taking a bath.

The charges added that on the evening of August 19, the housemate saw Pardas leaving the house along with Narayan, and her two grandchildren aged 3 and 5.

When the housemate asked Pardas about Ashdeep, she allegedly said that the child was in the bathroom and was waiting for her father to pick her up.

The housemate had observed that the bathroom light had been on for several hours and called Ashdeep's father.

She was instructed to break open the bathroom door at which time she found Ashdeep's lifeless naked body in the bathtub. There were several bruises on her body.

A report filed by the medical examiner's office determined that the cause of death was manual strangulation. 

It is further alleged that New York Police Depratment detectives went to Narayan's residence and found him, Pardas and the two grandchildren inside the apartment.

Pardas refused to come out and refused to allow entry to the police for over one hour.

Narayan later opened the door and both defendants were apprehended.

Ashdeep's relatives said the young girl had been previously allegedly abused by Pardas, who had been entrusted with her care while Singh worked in a local restaurant.