Oz teenager charged with murder in Nitin Garg’s killing

The teenager who cannot be named was produced before a Children’s Court after his arrest in a Melbourne suburb.

Garg,21,was stabbed to death while walking to work through a park on January 2,and the incident was one in a series of violent attacks against Indians in Australia.

The crime which came in for strong condemnation both in New Delhi and Canberra,with External Affairs Minister S M Krishna describing it as a “heinous crime on humanity” and “an uncivilised brutal attack on innocent Indians”.

However,the Victorian police,who made the arrest,said there were no racial motive found in the killing of Garg investigations so far.

“In our inquiries at this stage we don’t believe (Garg’s death) was racially motivated,” Detective Inspector handling the case,Bernie Edwards said.

“It’s relatively clear why it happened and how it happened but I won’t speculate on the motive,” he said.

He further said there was no evidence of gang involvement in Garg’s death.

Victorian police have not identified the 15-year-old suspect and haven’t disclosed the details of the crime because of legal issues in dealing with a juvenile.

Edwards admitted that homicide detectives had felt the pressure of solving the murder after the Indian government had claimed it was racially-motivated.

“Like any homicide we will keep going until we solve it,however there was a lot of pressure and I congratulate Senior Sergeant Dave Snare and his team in their investigation,” Edwards said.

“We are extremely pleased for Nitin Garg’s family and the Indian community here in Australia,” he said.

The teenager responded “okay” after the magistrate outlined the schedule of dates for his case. His parents were also present in the court and the mother was seen weeping as the teenager was remanded to custody after a brief appearance.

Edwards said police was also questioning a number of other people in connection with the killing but did not say if further charges were expected. Fifteen detectives were involved in the investigation,he said.

The 21-year-old accountancy student from Punjab was stabbed in a local park at Footscray West in January as he walked to work at a fast food restaurant.

Earlier this morning,the police questioned the 15-year-old after arresting him at Yarraville,a statement from the Victorian police said.

Garg suffered stab wounds to his upper body while walking to the Hungry Jack’s restaurant where he worked,on the corner of Geelong and Somerville roads,about 9.30 pm on January 2 this year.

He stumbled into the restaurant,bleeding in front of his workmates,before he died at the scene.

The weapon used in the attack has not been found.

Garg was a resident of Newport suburb and was employed in a fast food outlet of Hungry Jack.

The breakthrough in the case came as Minister for Oversees Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi is touring Australia and discussed problems faced by the community with Australian leaders.

The murder had come in the midst of a series of attacks on Indians in Australia that led to a furore back home.

The issue was taken up by the Indian government at the highest level with Krishna condemning the incident and calling for bringing those responsible to book speedily.

Indian community leaders hail Victorian police

Indian community leaders in Australia hailed efforts of Victorian police in arresting and charging a teenager involved in the murder of Nitin Garg early this year.

Victorian police today charged a 15-year-old boy,whose identity was not disclosed,killing Garg and said that the attack was not racially motivated.

Indian student Garg,21,was stabbed to death while walking to work through a park on January 2,and the incident was one in a series of violent attacks against Indians in Australia.

Federation of Indian Students in Australia (FISA) spokesperson Gautam Gupta lauded the role of Victorian police in charging the teenager and said the Indian students attack crisis has helped in making Victoria a safe place.

President of Federation of Indian association of Victoria Vasan Srinivas said that it was an excellent effort on part of the Victorian police.

“They have been able to solve the case after so many months. However,it is sad to know that again a teenager has been involved in such a crime,” he said.

Commenting on the breakthrough in the six-month-old case,Primus Telecom CEO Ravi Bhatia said: “Once again,Victoria Police have proven that they are truly professional.

Nitin Garg case was very difficult as the murder took place in

an isolated park late in the evening without witnesses.”

He said: “We would like to thank and congratulate Inspector Bernie Edwards and Senior Sergeant David Stare for superb police work. Considering the age of the suspect is not time to consider changes in law so that those who commit adult crimes must do adult time regardless of their ages?”

Sydney-based cardiologist Yadu Singh said,”I am happy to see that Nitin Garg’s alleged killer has been arrested and charged. I believe that this alleged killer should be tried in an adult court as he committed an adult crime.

“While I feel happy that the alleged killer has been arrested,I remain concerned about the crime situation in Melbourne. Victoria police needs to do proactive policing to control crime there. Only the other day,some juvenile criminals assaulted passengers in a Melbourne train,” he said.