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Journalism of Courage
A 15-year-old Australian boy was on Thursday charged with the murder of Indian student Nitin Garg,with the police saying there was no racial motive in the killing. The breakthrough in the high-profile case,which threatened to derail India-Australia ties,came when the homicide detectives knocked on the doors of the boys Melbourne home early in the morning.
The teenager,who cannot be named,was produced before a Childrens Court,which remanded him in custody till October. He will now be produced in court on July 8.
Garg,a 21-year-old Garg,accountancy student from Punjab,was stabbed in a local park at Footscray West on January 2 on his way to work at a fast-food restaurant. The incident was one in a series of violent attacks against Indians in Australia. The crime came in for strong condemnation both in New Delhi and Canberra,with External Affairs Minister S M Krishna describing it as a heinous crime on humanity and an uncivilised brutal attack on innocent Indians.
However,the Victorian police,who made the arrest,said no racial motive has been found so far in the killing of Garg. In our inquiries at this stage we dont believe (Gargs death) was racially motivated, said Bernie Edwards,the Detective Inspector handling the case. Its relatively clear why it happened and how it happened but I wont speculate on the motive. He ruled out the involvement of a gang.
However,Raj Kumar,Gargs uncle,said in Jagroan,Punjab,We have been told the arrested boy was using drugs and a few more are also involved in the incident. So,we are waiting for the murder to be solved fully. Police told us that racial discrimination is not the reason for the murder.
Edwards admitted the detectives felt pressure in solving the case after India claimed it was racially motivated. ENS inputs from Jagraon
