Indian-origin student in Australia in coma after assault

An Indian-origin student, pursuing a master’s degree at the University of Tasmania, is in a medically induced coma following an assault. The incident occurred on November 5 at a precinct in Tasmania, resulting in the victim suffering severe injuries. The victim, in his 20s, underwent extensive brain surgery lasting several hours. The alleged perpetrator, identified as 25-year-old Benjamin Dodge Collings from Lenah Valley, was arrested by the police and charged with criminal assault. This offense carries a maximum sentence of 21 years in prison. Collings, who was granted magistrate bail, is set to appear in court on December 4 to address charges that include assault, providing false information, resisting a police officer, and unrelated driving offenses. The University of Tasmania’s Media Director, Ben Wild, said the establishment knows the incident. Asked what measures the university has taken to assist the student in these difficult times, Wild said they have been in regular contact with the family and assigned a complex case manager to the case, along with translators, liaison, accommodation and other support. The case has gone through the court system as well and we are very limited in what we can say, he said. With inputs from PTI