Man of Indian-origin 'set on fire' in Melbourne

There has been yet another attack on an Indian in Australia.

29-year-old Jaspreet Singh was set ablaze by a group of four attackers in Melbourne on Saturday, a week after a student from the country was stabbed to death amid a slew of assaults on the community in Australia. (Read: Indian youth fatally stabbed in Australia)

Jaspreet, who suffered 20 per cent burns including on his arms, chest and face, was admitted to Royal Melbourne hospital after he was attacked shortly before 2 am local time (0730 HRS IST) in Melbourne's Essendon area.

The police however say they do not believe the attack was racially motivated. (In pics:  Indians attacked in Australia)

Jaspreet and his wife left a dinner party in Essendon, in the city's northwest, between 1.30 am and 2 am and drove to their nearby home in Grice Crescent. He dropped his wife at home and had gone to park his car when he was attacked, local media reported.

Police said that as he was getting out of the car, four men attacked him, pushing him back against the vehicle and pouring an unknown fluid on him. One of the men then ignited the fluid with a lighter before all the attackers fled.

The victim, who is now in a stable condition in the hospital, ran from the car while peeling off his clothes, 'The Age' reported.

Commenting on the recent attack on Indian in Australia, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs said that it was following the matter vigorously with Australian authorities. The media is advised to exercise utmost restraint in reporting on these sensitive issues as it could aggravate the situation, it added.

The latest attack comes just a few days after the body of 25-year-old Ranjodh Singh was found in New South Wales, and a week after 21-year-old Indian graduate Nitin Garg was stabbed to death while he was walking to work.

Following Nitin's death, the Indian government had issued an advisory asking Indians studying in Australia and those planning to do so to take extra precautions while moving around the country.

Meanwhile, Indians held a public meeting outside Melbourne's Parliament house on Saturday, and came up with a proposal for the government. They have decided against a rally but urge action from the government. (With PTI inputs)