Indian Student Stabbed Multiple Times In Australia, Attacker Held. MEA Says In Touch With Family

The suspect who allegedly stabbed an Indian student in an apparent racial attack has been arrested by the authorities in Australia.

An Indian student has been stabbed multiple times in Australia and is in a critical state at the moment.

A suspect has been arrested and taken in police custody for allegedly stabbing an Indian student in an apparent racial attack in Australia, authorities have said. Twenty-eight-year-old Shubham Garg, from Agra, is in a critical state after he was stabbed multiple times.

The victim was pursuing a Ph.D. degree in mechanical engineering from the University of New South Wales. The victim was attacked when he was walking at about 10.30 pm along the Pacific Highway while returning to his residence.

"The Indian Consulate in Sydney has provided consular assistance to the individual," the Australian High Commission in New Delhi said. It also said that it was assisting with the facilitation of visa for family members of the injured student.

A 27-year-old man Daniel Norwood was arrested at the scene and was taken to Chatswood Police Station where he was charged with one count of attempted murder, according to the report.

The Hornsby Local Court didn’t grant bail to the suspect. He will remain in custody till the next court appearance on December 14, the report quoted The Australia Today.

The suspect allegedly threatened Garg and demanded cash and his phone. The victim was allegedly stabbed a number of times in the abdomen before the assailant fled, The Australia Today cited local media reports as saying.

The Ministry of External Affairs said it was in touch with Garg's family. Addressing a press conference, MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said the Australian High Commission had agreed to expedite the travel documents of Garg's family members.

"Our High Commission in Canberra and consulate in Sydney are in close touch with local authorities. We are in contact with the family. We have requested the Australian High Commission here to expedite travel documents of visas so family members could urgently go. I'm happy to hear that it's done," ANI quoted Bagchi as saying.

"Some of our officials met him in the hospital in Sydney. We extended our consular services. We've also come to know that a suspect was taken into custody. Our expectation is that it be seen seriously," he further said.

Attack An 'Act Of Racism', Claims Family   

Garg's family called the attack against their son an act of 'racism'. His parents said they were trying to get an Australian visa for over a week but to no avail, according to local media reports. "My brother Shubham Garg, 28, from Uttar Pradesh, was brutally attacked in Sydney, Australia 11 times with a knife and he is in critical condition. We seek your immediate help in this matter and an emergency visa to family members," Kavya Garg, the victim's sister, tweeted on October 12.