Indian-origin man severely injured in machete attack by teens in Australia

A 33-year-old Indian-origin man was left severely injured after a group of teenagers launched a violent machete attack on him in Melbourne, Australia, on July 19.

Saurabh Anand was returning home from Central Square Shopping Centre in Altona Meadows after picking up medication when he was ambushed from behind, as per media reports and police sources. The group pushed him to the ground and launched a brutal assault.

According to The Age, one of the assailants went through Anand’s pockets in search of valuables, while another repeatedly punched him in the head. A third teenager then threatened him with a machete. “They didn’t stop there,” Anand recounted from his hospital bed, days after undergoing multiple surgeries to reattach his nearly severed left hand.

“My instinctive reaction was to bring my arm up to protect my face and wrist. While I was trying to protect myself, the machete just went through my wrist. The second attack, the machete went through my hand ... the third went through my bone.”

He further alleged that he was struck on the shoulder and back with the weapon. “I was just trying to survive,” he said. “All I remember is the pain, and my hand was … hanging by a thread. There were bone ruptures on my arm as well. I was just tumbling around, half-concussed, half-conscious.”

Bystanders who noticed the bloodied man outside the shopping centre rushed to his aid and alerted emergency services. The attackers fled the scene with his mobile phone. Doctors initially feared they would have to amputate Anand’s left hand. However, after hours of emergency surgery involving the insertion of screws into his wrist and hand, surgeons were able to save it. He also sustained a fractured spine, broken bones in his arm, and injuries to the head.

The assault took place on the same day an Indian student was reportedly targeted in another violent incident in Adelaide. Police have arrested multiple teenagers in connection with the Melbourne attack. A 14-year-old boy appeared in a Children’s Court this week, facing several charges including intentionally causing serious injury, robbery, and unlawful assault. He has been remanded in custody until August 15.

Two other 15-year-olds were also charged with similar offences and released on bail. They are scheduled to appear in court on August 11. Another 14-year-old from Hobsons Bay was arrested and is expected to be charged on summons.

Anand expressed distress upon learning that two of the accused teens were granted bail. “I’m seeking justice,” he said. “I don’t want anyone else in the community to be going through the same trauma I have." His case highlights a growing trend of knife-related violence in Melbourne. The day after Anand’s attack, a 17-year-old boy was stabbed at Broadmeadows Central Shopping Centre, roughly 30 kilometres away.

Victoria is currently witnessing its highest youth crime rate since the start of electronic record-keeping. In response, the state government passed stricter bail legislation in March, aimed at repeat offenders. Premier Jacinta Allan stated that the changes would deliver the “toughest bail test in the country” for habitual offenders.
(With PTI Inputs)