Taking strong initiatives against the racial attacks on Indians, an Australian court uttered long jail terms for attacking Mukesh Haikerwal, an Indian born doctor last year. He went in for coma for 24 hours and was hospitalized for almost two months. The doctor was attacked with a baseball bat by one of the attackers as if he was playing cricket and hitting six!

The injuries were so severe that he lost some of his brain. Judge Joe Gullaci of Victorian County Court jailed Alfer Azzopardi, the main culprit – for 18-and-a-half years with a minimum of 13-and-a-half years. Other accused, Michael Baltatzis and Sean Gabriel were sentenced to jail terms of 16½ years and nine years, nine months respectively. Judge Joe Gullaci elaborated that the attacks are cowardly and despicable.

Haikerwal said “he did not feel anything for the men.” He further said that this sentence shows the value of investigation and the work performed by the police. It is a signal that violence would not be tolerated.