Sydney: An Indian student pursuing higher studies in Australia was stabbed multiple times in a brutal knife attack.
The 28-year-old Shubham Garg, an IIT graduate doing his PhD from University of New South Wales in Sydney, suffered stab wounds to his face, chest and abdomen after being attacked last week by a man who allegedly demanded cash.
Shubham managed to catch the attention of residents of a nearby house and was taken to Royal North Shore Hospital. He underwent surgery and is in a serious but stable condition, according to NSW Police Force.
Police have arrested Daniel Norwood, who has been charged with attempted murder, the Daily Telegraph reported.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Friday the High Commission in Canberra and Consulate in Sydney are in touch with local authorities.
“It is a sad incident. He (Garg) is in a hospital and treatment is being done. We expect that the matter is dealt with seriously and action is taken against the perpetrators,” spokesperson of India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Arindam Bagchi said on Friday.
Asked if it could have been a possible racist attack, Bagchi said: “I do not want to speculate, the focus is on his treatment.”
Shubham’s father Ramniwas Garg told NDTV he ‘somehow’ survived the attack.
“We found out on October 8 when he didn’t answer my call and we called his friend.. He had an 11-hour surgery in his abdomen. I request the government to help with my son’s treatment and a visa for my younger son,” Ramniwas was quoted as saying.
Shubham’s sister Kavya Garg also requested for help.
“My brother Shubham Garg, 28, from UP, was brutally attacked in Sydney, Australia 11 times with knife and he is in critical condition. We seek your immediate help in this matter and emergency visa to family member to look after him,” Kavya tweeted, tagging Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s office, Union Foreign Minister S Jaishankar and UP CM Yogi Adityanath.
