An Indian student pursuing a master’s degree at the University of Tasmania is in a medically induced coma after an alleged assault in Australia earlier this month. The incident occurred at around 4:20 a.m. on November 5, resulting in the student being rushed to the Royal Hobart Hospital. The victim, in his 20s, underwent brain surgery, and his right lung collapsed.
A 25-year-old, Benjamin Dodge Collings, was taken into custody and charged with criminal code assault. Collings was granted magistrate bail, and there is no evidence to suggest the incident was racially motivated, according to police. The victim’s family in Assam does not have passports to travel to Australia, and the university is providing support. Collings is scheduled to return to court on December 4.