Latest news with #SaurabhAnand
ABC News
3 days ago
- ABC News
Man attacked by machete in Central Square Shopping Centre calls for ban to be implemented sooner
For 33-year-old Saurabh Anand a trip to his local shopping centre became a matter of life and death. "It is a trauma of hell that I went through," Mr Anand told 7.30. At about 8pm on a Saturday night, the sales representative collected his prescription at Central Square Shopping Centre in Melbourne's inner west when a group of teenage boys allegedly attacked him with a machete. "I used my other hand to feel all the damage that was done. "I couldn't feel any sensation in my wrist or fingers." Until now, he's been too scared to identify himself, but a fortnight on from the attack, Mr Anand is speaking out. He shared confronting photos with 7.30, showing how his arm was nearly severed in the alleged attack. Mr Anand was rushed to the Royal Melbourne Hospital for surgery and has told 7.30 he cannot believe he still has his hand. "To be very honest, I cannot believe that whatever instinctive reaction or safety mode I went into got me to a position where I was able to keep my hand together," he said. Four teenagers, all aged between 14 and 15, have been charged with offences ranging from assault to robbery. Mr Anand is in Melbourne on a temporary visa and has a limited support network, so his mother flew in from New Delhi late last week to care for him. In her first media interview since her son's attack, Kirun Anand said she feared the worst after learning of the incident through global news reports. "He's my only son and he's my life," Ms Anand told 7.30. Mr Anand says having his mother here under these circumstances is heartbreaking. "She cries every night and every day seeing my condition because no parent would want their kids to be in such a state," he said. Steve Devono is a regular customer at the Central Square Shopping Centre and says he fears for his safety after what happened to Mr Anand. "You're not safe anywhere. Anywhere. I reckon it was terrible what they've done to that man," Mr Devono told 7.30. In the wake of the alleged attack, Victoria Police confirmed they have increased patrols in the area. Mr Devono says their presence is welcome. Traders have told 7.30 that there is only one security guard employed full-time by the centre, between 12pm and 7:30pm. 7.30 requested an interview and put written questions to Central Square Shopping Centre about this claim, but it declined to respond. Local florist Igli Musa says one security guard at the centre, which has more than 50 traders, isn't enough. "I do think that maybe security needs to be increased a little bit, especially during school holidays when these things tend to happen more," he said. Mr Musa also believes security guards should have more powers and resources. "I have done my security course before, and what we get taught, I think security guards should have a little bit more power when it comes to jumping into situations and having that power to detain," he told 7.30. The alleged machete attack on Mr Anand follows other high-profile incidents inside major shopping centres across the nation. The chief executive of the peak body Shopping Centre Council of Australia, Angus Nardi, declined an interview request from 7.30 but acknowledged knife crime is an issue, in a written statement. "A key ongoing problem is people bringing dangerous knives and weapons to our shopping centres, and in certain cases with the possible intent to use those weapons," he told 7.30. In May, at Melbourne's Northland Shopping Centre, a brawl allegedly between rival gangs involving machetes prompted the Victorian government to bring forward a machete ban to September. Under an amnesty, bins will be placed at police stations to collect weapons. Mr Anand believes these measures should have been implemented sooner. "This [ban] would roll out in September," he said. "But do we still have enough measures to control all the weapons that are being sold?" Asked for his response to Mr Anand's concerns, Victorian Police Minister Anthony Carbines released a statement to 7.30. "What happened to Mr Anand was horrifying and our thoughts are with him during this very difficult time," he said. Figures released to 7.30 from Victoria Police show offences at Melbourne's 13 largest shopping complexes have risen eight per cent year-on-year and have now returned to above pre-pandemic levels. Source: Victoria Police/Crime Statistics Agency, Victoria The centres captured in the Victorian data include major complexes such as Chadstone Shopping Centre, Southpoint in Cheltenham and Preston's Northland. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Victorian government passed laws allowing Protective Services Officers (PSO) to be redeployed from train stations to shopping centres, sporting precincts and populated areas. Unlike security guards, PSOs are armed and have powers of arrest. However, in a statement to 7.30, Victoria Police confirmed the laws had not been used to deploy PSOs to shopping centres and there aren't any active plans to do so. "Victoria Police has used these laws to deploy PSOs to the Land Forces Expo and Australian Grand Prix," a Victoria Police spokesperson said. 7.30 understands a key reason they haven't been used is that it would leave railway stations exposed, given the government's commitment to staff 220 metropolitan train stations and four regional hubs. Shadow Victorian Police Minister David Southwick is calling for the government to hire more PSOs to deploy them directly to shopping centres. "Five years ago, Labor changed laws to allow PSOs into shopping centres but they've done nothing to make it happen," he said. But security experts aren't convinced PSOs are the solution. Security consultant Luke Percy-Dove has worked with shopping centres for 30 years. He says while high-profile incidents at shopping centres are concerning, they aren't common enough to warrant PSOs. "If these sorts of rare instances, like [what] happened at Bondi, if these became more regular, then we would have to look more seriously at what the next level of security [is] applied to public spaces," he said. In Queensland, laws are now in place allowing police to use handheld metal detectors to search and seize weapons from people in public places. Police allege one man had two knives at a Townsville shopping centre last week. Across Queensland in the past fortnight just under 11,500 people have been scanned and 77 weapons seized. Victoria Police Minister Anthony Carbines told 730 the government had strengthened laws to give police similar capability. "We have also given Victoria Police expanded stop and search powers so they can continue to seize a record number of weapons off our streets," he said. Currently, security guards have limited powers; generally they can only report, detain and deter. The CEO of the peak body for security companies in Australia, Bryan de Caires, says classifying security guards as frontline workers would give them the power by law to detain individuals. "If someone is obstructing or hindering them doing their duty, they have grounds either to detain that person or to get them to leave, otherwise, there are consequences," he said. Mr de Caires is also aware of the police's ability to respond. "We're certainly not advocating the additional powers like police because police are the police, security is not the police," he told 7.30. Mr Percy-Dove said some security companies were reluctant to train their guards to intervene due to potential legal issues. "If they overstep, use too much force in proportionate to whatever was occurring and somebody gets injured, that brings risk to the shopping centre operator [and] creates risk for the provider of the security officers," he said. Security guards at Westfield shopping centres now have body-worn cameras; its owner, the Scentre Group, reported it had increased security presence and measures in its 2024 annual report. Scentre Group declined 7.30's request to observe operations in its centres, but instead supplied the ABC previously unreleased footage showing its security guards wearing the devices on their protective vests. The ABC first revealed in March that the cameras had been deployed. Mr de Caires says the body-worn cameras are likely to become commonplace in shopping centres. "We are seeing a greater use of that technology partly as a protection and partly as a deterrent because if people know they're being recorded, they behave in slightly different ways," he said. 7.30 also requested interviews regarding security measures with Scentre Group — which partly owns Westfield — and Vicinity Centres, which owns Northland and Chadstone Shopping Centres in Melbourne. Both declined to take part. As for Mr Anand, the 33-year-old says he's now too frightened to go back to his local shopping centre. "I barely can muster any courage of going out of my own home to the same place where I usually went for a quick walk and come back home," he said. But he faces another challenge. His temporary visa is due to expire next month and he needs to continue his medical treatment. "I cannot go back [to India] with such an impalement or such an injury on my arm," he said. "All my surgeries are done here, all my surgeons, my follow-up appointments are organised here. His mother says she is concerned about how her son will receive medical treatment and wants the Australian government to help. "I want to say that the community and government to help him," Ms Anand told 7.30. Watch 7.30, Mondays to Thursdays 7:30pm on ABC iview and ABC TV Do you know more about this story? Get in touch with 7.30 here.
News18
31-07-2025
- News18
Indian-Origin Man Alleges Racist Assault By Teenagers In Dublin, Suffers Fractured Cheekbone
Last Updated: An Indian-origin man in Dublin alleged he was brutally assaulted by a group of teenagers in a racist attack, leaving him with a fractured cheekbone. An Indian-origin man has alleged he was targeted in a racist attack near his residence in Dublin, Ireland. According to his LinkedIn profile, the man identified himself as Santosh Yadav and said the incident happened while he was taking a walk near his apartment. In a lengthy post on LinkedIn, Santosh Yadav alleged he was attacked by a group of six people, believed to be teenagers. The attack left him with a fractured cheekbone. The man wrote, 'After having dinner, I was walking near my apartment when a group of six teenagers attacked me from behind." 'They snatched my glasses, breaking them, and then beat me relentlessly across my head, face, neck, chest, hands, and legs—leaving me bleeding on the pavement," he added. 'I managed to call the Gardaí, and an ambulance took me to Blanchardstown Hospital. The medical team confirmed my cheekbone is fractured, and I have now been referred for specialist care," he added. Also stressing on other similar incidents, Santosh Yadav on LinkedIn wrote, 'This is not an isolated incident. Racist attacks on Indian men and other minorities are surging across Dublin—on buses, in housing estates, and on public streets." 'Yet, the government is silent. There is no action being taken against these perpetrators. They run free and are emboldened to attack again," he mentioned. 'We deserve to feel safe. We deserve to walk on the streets without fear," the man's post read. On July 19, a 33-year-old Indian-origin man was attacked with a machete by a group of teenagers in Melbourne's Altona Meadows. The incident marked the second such violent assault that came to light against Indians in Australia within a week. Saurabh Anand was ambushed by five teenagers while he was walking home after buying medicines from a pharmacy at the Central Square Shopping Centre, Australia Today reported. Bystanders came to his aid and called emergency services. He was rushed to the Royal Melbourne Hospital in critical condition. Initially, doctors feared they would have to amputate his left hand. However, after hours of emergency surgery, which included inserting screws into his wrist and hand, surgeons were able to reattach it successfully, as per the report. view comments Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Daily Mail
29-07-2025
- Daily Mail
Shopping centre machete attack victim relives the harrowing moment his arm was allegedly almost HACKED off in unprovoked eshay ambush: 'Don't know how I'll survive'
A man who allegedly had his arm almost chopped off in a machete attack has spoken of his fight for life when a gang of eshays allegedly targeted him in a busy shopping mall. Saurabh Anand, 33, was allegedly set upon by five teenagers in the unprovoked attack in Altona Meadows, in Melbourne 's west ten days ago. As well as almost losing his hand and arm, Mr Anand was allegedly slashed and stabbed in the shoulder and back, and suffered a fractured spine, broken bones in his arm, and head injuries. Doctors initially thought they would have to amputate his left hand, but surgeons were able to reattach it by inserting screws into his wrist and hand during five hours of emergency surgery. 'I am completely broken, mentally, physically and emotionally,' he said on Monday. 'I don't know how I'll survive. I am in constant pain. It is the toughest time in my life - I wouldn't have wished this on my worst enemy.' Mr Anand was at Central Square Shopping Centre to pick up medication and was talking on the phone when the gang of youths allegedly pounced around 7.30pm. He said he had spotted five teenagers sitting on a bench near a cafe outside the shopping centre, but was quickly surrounded as he came out of the pharmacy. One teenager allegedly demanded his phone before another allegedly punched him repeatedly in the head until he fell, breaking his back as he hit the ground The gang then allegedly began punching and kicking him as he lay on the ground before a third teen then allegedly pulled out a machete and held it to his throat. 'He [allegedly] went for my neck, my throat,' he told The Australia Today Facebook page on Monday following his release from hospital after eight days. 'To save myself, I raised my hand up to protect my throat and my arm [allegedly] got completely sliced off - the machete cut all of the muscle, the tendons, the nerves. 'But if the machete had gone through my neck I would not be here today.' Mr Anand said he feared he would die in the alleged attack. He said the first cut allegedly sliced through his hand near his thumb before another almost hacked off his hand at the wrist. 'It wasn't just once, they [allegedly] did it repeatedly,' he said. 'They [allegedly] tried to kill me three or four times. 'My hand was literally hanging off. There was so much blood and so much pain. And he [allegedly] did not stop. He [allegedly] cut through both the bones in my arm. 'The bones were sticking out of my skin.' He said that as he lay on the ground in a pool of his own blood, his attackers then stood on his back and allegedly struck him again on his shoulders. 'I was just trying to survive,' he said. 'I was just tumbling around, half-concussed, half-conscious.' He said he lay there for around half an hour before emergency services arrived to help him. 'For 30 minutes, I kept rolling there, stumbling, trying to save myself, holding my hand and falling down,' he said. 'It was very scary.' He said he begged for help from bystanders but was ignored until one good samaritan finally stepped in to call police before he was rushed to hospital. Several teenagers have now been arrested in connection with the incident. A 14-year-old appeared at a Children's Court this week charged with a spate of offences including intentionally causing serious injury, recklessly causing injury, robbery and unlawful assault. He was remanded in custody until August 15. Two 15-year-olds were also charged with intentionally causing serious injury, robbery and unlawful assault. Police said the two were bailed and will face a Children's Court on August 11. Mr Anand says doctors still don't know how much movement he will have in his hand and arm once his wounds heal. 'There is no certainty about that at all,' he said. He says he now faces financial ruin as he tries to recover, with no income and no support despite having lived in Australia for seven years. 'I have invested in this country, paid my taxes, paid my bills - supported this country in every way, economically or supported the community,' he added. 'But today I am in such a situation as to have nothing to show that anyone or the government will help me. 'I need support and I hope the government will help me. Someone needs to hear the victims. 'It is very easy to defend [alleged] offenders, saying that someone is underage, someone has mental health issues. 'But what about my mental health right now? Who will take care of me at my home? 'I would really like to urge the government of Victoria and the government of Australia to please provide me with physical health support, a physical carer or a mental health support worker. 'I'm really scared to get out of my home. I have nowhere to go. I am completely injured, distorted, disoriented in my head and a completely broken man.' A GoFundMe fundraiser set up to help pay Mr Anand's medical bills has already raised more than $11,000 of a $26,000 target. The fundraiser contains images of Mr Anand in his hospital bed, with his arm in a sling. His friend Kanika, who organised the fundraiser, called on the community to rally behind Mr Anand. 'He's still struggling to come to terms with what a bad ordeal he had to go through,' she said in the appeal. 'In this time, I would urge the community to bring in generous support for him as this would help him to support his medical expenses, while covering for the loss of income from work and recover from his physical injuries and mental distress through rehabilitation. 'Your contribution would help him to recover better without him having to worry about his next dollar as the journey is going to be long to bring it back to normal considering the expenses required for ongoing therapy, counselling , medication and rental expenses are not easy.'
The Star
27-07-2025
- The Star
Indian-origin man attacked with machete in Australia; hand reattached after near amputation
Australia police. - File photo: IANS MELBOURNE: An Indian-origin man, Saurabh Anand, was left severely injured after being brutally attacked with a machete by a group of teenagers in Australia's Melbourne, local media reported. The incident occurred around 7.30pm on July 19 while the 33-year-old was walking home from a pharmacy at the Central Square Shopping Centre in Altona Meadows. The horrifying assault left him with multiple injuries, including a nearly severed hand, which was later reattached during surgery. According to The Australian Today, Anand was speaking to a friend on the phone when five teenagers suddenly surrounded him. One of the assailants rummaged through his pockets, while another repeatedly punched him in the head, knocking him to the ground. A third attacker pulled out a machete and reportedly held it to his throat. 'While I was trying to protect myself, the machete just went through my wrist. The second attack went through my hand. The third went through the bone,' Saurabh recounted to The Age. He also suffered stab wounds to his shoulder and back, resulting in a fractured spine and several broken bones. 'All I remember is the pain, and my hand was hanging by a thread,' he added. Despite the severe injuries, Saurabh managed to walk out of the area and call for help. He was quickly taken to a hospital, where doctors initially considered amputation. However, after a complex medical procedure, they were able to reattach his hand. Australian media reported that four out of the five teenage attackers have been arrested in connection with the assault. Police investigations are ongoing. This brutal incident comes close on the heels of another disturbing case in Australia involving an Indian student. Charanpreet Singh was allegedly racially abused and assaulted by a group of unidentified men following a car parking dispute near Kintore Avenue. The incident occurred last week when Singh and his wife were out to view the city's light displays. - The Statesman/ANN
The Hindu
27-07-2025
- The Hindu
Indian-origin man brutally attacked with machete in Australia
A 33-year-old Indian-origin man was brutally attacked with a machete by a group of teenagers in Australia, leaving him with multiple injuries, including a nearly severed hand. Saurabh Anand was approached by the teenage boys from behind when he was walking home on July 19 after picking up medicines at a pharmacy at Central Square Shopping Centre in Altona Meadows, Melbourne, according to media reports and police. They shoved him to the ground before viciously attacking him, The Age newspaper reported. One of the teenagers had his hands in Mr. Anand's pockets, rummaging for valuables. He said another boy punched him in the head repeatedly until he fell to the ground. A third teen pulled out a machete and held it to his throat, 'They didn't stop there,' the newspaper quoted Mr. Anand as saying from his hospital bed, days after enduring several surgeries to reattach his 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.' Anand alleged he was then slashed and stabbed with the machete on his shoulder and back. '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.' Mr. Anand was rushed to the hospital after he cried out for help to strangers passing by. They found him bloodied outside the shopping centre and called triple zero, the paper reported. The teenagers fled with his phone. Mr. Anand said doctors initially thought they would have to amputate his left hand. But surgeons were able to reattach it following hours of gruelling emergency surgery, which included inserting screws into his wrist and hand. He also suffered head injuries, broken bones in his left arm and a fracture in his spine. The attack occurred on the same day an Indian student sustained injuries in an alleged racist attack in Australia's Adelaide. Several teenagers have been arrested over Anand's attack. A 14-year-old appeared at a Children's Court this week, charged with a spate of offences including intentionally causing serious injury, recklessly causing injury, robbery and unlawful assault. He was remanded in custody until August 15. Two 15-year-olds were also charged with intentionally causing serious injury, robbery and unlawful assault. Police said the two were bailed and will face the Children's Court on August 11. A 14-year-old boy from the Hobsons Bay area was also arrested and is expected to be charged on summons. Mr. Anand says he was distressed after learning the two 15-year-olds were still out in the community after the attack. 'I'm seeking justice,' Anand said. 'I don't want anyone else in the community to be going through the same trauma I have. Mr. Anand is one of the latest victims of a surge in knife violence across Melbourne. A 17-year-old boy was stabbed about 30 kilometres away at Broadmeadows Central Shopping Centre in the city's north about 6.30 pm the following evening. Victoria is grappling with its highest youth crime rate since electronic records began, prompting the state government to pass new laws in March, toughening bail laws. Premier Jacinta Allan vowed the reforms would create the 'toughest bail test in the country' for repeat offenders.
