Melbourne: Two Australian men from Victoria,
arrested for assaulting an Indian taxi driver, will be
produced in court on Monday, in an incident that takes to four the
number of attacks on Indian cabbies in three days.
The incident happened on Friday night when the two men
were picked up by a 23-year old taxi driver in Geelong city.
Robert Harvey, 25, and Andrew Madden, 24, both of
Norlane, allegedly set upon the driver shortly afterwards at
the intersection of Sparks Rd and the Princes Highway where he
suffered bruising and swelling to the face and head.
Paramedics treated him at the scene but he was not
hospitalised, according to police official Ben Melis.
The two men, who were arrested after the incident, were
remanded in custody yesterday and charged with robbery and
assault-related crimes.
Police allege it was a premeditated attack, according to
a newspaper report.
However, there was no confirmation by the police on
whether the attack was racially motivated.
The incident was the fourth such attack on Indian cabbies
in three days, and came after two such instances in the
Victorian city of Ballart, and another such case in which a
quick sentence of three months was administered to a man for
abusing and assaulting an Indian taxi driver.
An undisclosed amount of cash was also allegedly taken
away from the driver, Melis said.
"The evidence tends to point towards a premeditated
attack," Melis said.
"A number of passersby came to the aid of the taxi driver
after he pleaded for assistance from passing cars. One of the
accused was held until police arrived.
"The other... was later arrested by police".
Both men will face Geelong Magistrates` Court today.
Melis said it was pleasing to see so many people come
to the victim`s aid.
Meanwhile, Indian High Commissioner Sujatha Singh
specially flew to visit the recently attacked Gurdawara in
Cranbourne and also visited Blackburn Gurdawara.
She met Gurdawara members and also community members
during her visit.
PTI
