Meraj Zafar confessed to murdering Arnima Hayat. He researched acid before dissolving her body after a violent act fueled by jealousy.
Four months into it, she felt afraid and wanted to escape her husband. As a girl, she adjusted to Australia, where her parents owned a butcher’s shop. She became a citizen, learned English, liked sushi, iced coffee, and makeup.
Arnima was driven and wanted to help others. Her parents had another daughter, and Arnima felt close to her sister, despite their eleven-year age gap. Arnima got into Western Sydney University, making her parents proud, as they worked hard to pay for it; she also worked a part-time job.
Her life changed after she met Meraj Zafar, an apprentice builder who had changed his appearance, now intimidating. Her family worried about his behavior as he got her to drink alcohol, and there were rumors about his drug use.
Arnima grew distant from her family. Zafar asked Arnima’s father for permission to marry, but Abu wanted to meet Zafar’s parents first. Zafar got angry and sent offensive calls, insulting Abu and demanding an answer. Disturbed, Abu told the police, and Zafar received a restraining order.
Arnima and Zafar married in October 2021 in a private ceremony with no guests and moved into a flat in Sydney, becoming very isolated. Once happy, Arnima stopped talking to family, and the music and shopping lover withdrew, focusing only on her studies.
By January 2022, Arnima was pregnant. She told friends about Zafar’s abuse and feared him immensely, needing his permission to leave. He called her names and strangled her once. Arnima texted her fears to Zafar.
She feared he’d hurt her again and didn’t want a son like him. Zafar dismissed her abuse claims, saying it wasn’t him. She asked friends about going to the police, one friend said she had no choice but to stay. Arnima’s last message was “No, I hate him.”
The next day was horrifying. Zafar’s mother said they had a fight. Police checked on Arnima; Zafar looked up international flights. Officers found remains at their flat, chemicals filled the place. The remains were badly decayed and needed DNA, confirming they were Arnima.
Zafar ran away, and police shared his picture. He turned himself in after twenty hours. Detectives think the murder happened soon after her text. Zafar left at 9:55 PM; Arnima was already dead. CCTV showed him buying hydrochloric acid then buying more later.
He denied it, but evidence showed his plan. He searched online about acid, wondering how long for murder in Sydney. Arnima’s family felt heartbroken and couldn’t say goodbye properly. An open-casket funeral was not possible then. In May 2024, Zafar admitted to the crime.
The judge spoke after Zafar confessed, stating that he killed her out of anger, fearing she would leave him. He stopped her breathing and tried dissolving her body after. This violent act concluded his behavior, and the murder happened where she should have felt safe.
In December 2024, Zafar went to court. Arnima’s father missed her every day, saying, “He burned the face I used to kiss.” Her mother’s pain was read in court, “There is only suffering and pain now.” She visits Arnima’s grave every Friday.
Arnima wanted to be a doctor, a dream stolen from her. The family lost a future with her. Zafar apologized to the court, saying he was sorry for what he did.
The judge noticed something in his apology, as he called Arnima “his wife,” not her name. This showed he felt possessive. Zafar got 21 years in prison and has to serve 16 years first before he can apply for parole.