[India] - Indian-origin student assaulted in Australia, in coma: Report

INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
NEW DELHI: An Indian-origin student, pursuing a master's degree at the University of Tasmania, is in a medically induced coma after being
assaulted, reported news agency PTI citing a media report.A suspect has been taken into custody and charged with criminal assault
The incident took place on November 5 at a precinct in Tasmania.The student, who is in his 20s and yet to be identified, had "extra jural
bleeding" that caused his brain to shift, Sydney-based Special Broadcasting Service reported.According to reports, his right lung "collapsed
and he had to undergo brain surgery", a procedure which takes several hours.Benjamin Dodge Collings, a 25-year-old Lenah Valley resident,
was taken into custody by police shortly after the event and charged with criminal code assault, an offence carrying a maximum sentence of
21 years in prison.Collings has been given magistrate bail and is slated to appear in court on December 4 to address various charges,
including assault, furnishing a false address and name, resisting a police officer, and unrelated driving offences.The University of
Tasmania's Media Director, Ben Wild, said the establishment knows the incident.When asked about the steps the university has taken to aid
the student during these difficult times, Wild stated they have maintained regular communication with the family.He claimed the university
has appointed a complex case manager, along with translators, liaison personnel, accommodation services, and other forms of support."The
case has gone through the court system as well and we are very limited in what we can say," he said.(With PTI input)