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Thursday March 11, 2010

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Indian set himself on fire: Police

Posted by: 3AW Radio | 3 February, 2010 - 8:27 AM
Jaspreet Singh (left) from Essendon

The Indian man who claimed he was set alight by a gang of people last month has now been charged with 'making a false report to police and criminal damage with a view to gaining financial advantage'.

Jaspreet Singh, 29, of Grice Crescent, Essendon, in the city's north, faced an out-of-sessions hearing early this morning before a bail justice at St Kilda Road police complex.

The alleged incident took place shortly after the apparent murder of Indian graduate Nitin Garg in Footscray, and the report fuelled the fire in relation to the Indian government's view that Melbourne is an unsafe place to be for Indian nationals.

Singh, who is in Australia on his wife's student visa, told police he was doused with petrol and set alight as he parked his car near his home early on Saturday, January 8.

Singh was taken to The Alfred hospital with burns to 15 per cent of his body, affecting his face, arms and hands.

But Detective Senior Constable Danielle O'Keefe of the arson and explosives squad told the hearing Singh suffered the burns while trying to torch his 2003 Ford Futura.

Detective O'Keefe said arson chemists and hospital staff had concluded the damage to the car, Singh's clothes and his injuries were not consistent with his story.

"Police inquiries have led us to believe that Mr Singh is in some financial difficulty and that he intended to sell his car but instead stood to gain $11,000 from an insurance claim out of this particular incident," she told the hearing.

Police had obtained security footage depicting Singh buying a 15-litre opaque plastic container and 15.96 litres of petrol on the day before the attack.

The container and other evidence was found at his unit when he was arrested yesterday, Detective O'Keefe said.

She said Singh had been very co-operative but denied all allegations.

His wife had been questioned about her knowledge of the incident, she said.

Burns were still obvious on Singh's face and neck, and he wore pressure bandages on his arms.

Through an interpreter, Singh told the hearing he and his wife planned a holiday to India, leaving on February 20 and returning in late April to visit his child and extended family.

Detective O'Keefe said police did not oppose bail but noted that Mr Singh was a potential flight risk.

The bail justice, who declined to be named, granted him bail with strict conditions banning him from contacting witnesses and attending points of international departure.

He must report to police three times a week and surrender his passport.

He will appear before the Melbourne Magistrates' Court on March 15.

At the time, police Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Neil Smyth described the attack as "a bit strange" and said there was no evidence the attack was racially motivated.

- with AAP News.

Blog comments Your Say

  • After reading through the comments and following the news I would like to point out that indians did not just start arriving to Australia in the last few years. I was born in Melbourne in 1981 and my parents arrived here from England in 1980. I know many indians who were born here and whose families have been here over 30 years. All of whom have lived here with relatively few problems. Secondly, apart from a small minority Aussies are not racist. And those who are involved in bashing indians are simply trouble makers who would set out to bash anyone who is not prepared to fight back. And last I would like to say about the indian students coming here, they come with very little money on them. The newspapers recently stated they bring around $50,000 with them. This is untrue. They come with enough to support them for a few months to cover fees and living expenses. The rest is earned here working. Sometimes they are paid as little as $5 per hour from greedy employers who will exploit those who need a job.

    Karamjit Singh Johal Friday 19 February, 2010 - 8:12 PM

  • Indians are learning fast and assimiliating fast- here we have the great Mediterranean-Australian car insurance caper 101.
    But geez, read the manual again,guys, you are not supposed to set fire to yourself in the attempt.

    Patrick Sunday 7 February, 2010 - 3:54 PM

  • What a SHAMEFUL revelation. The guy must be punished just like any other liar. Its sad that this happens in Australia. I know we have some racists in our country but most of us are not. We have a history of racism and taking advantage of weak people i.e.Aboiginals and some of still haven't changed. C'mon let's show the worl that we are all very tolerant and a part of the most fair society. Indians are lovely people too and we can't dow ithout them as our IT and call venter industry will not be able to cope.

    Ramsay Sunday 7 February, 2010 - 10:51 AM

  • Yes the Indian goverment and Indian students are causing uproar and deliberately causing a racist war. WHY because our pathetic state and federal goverments are so weak and they will bend over backwards for Indian students and sod the rest of us. Get some backbone Brumby and Rudd and stand up for all races in Australia not just the Indians. You just had to listen to a talkback caller on Neil Mitchell's programme the other day who stated that Indian students are being given preference for daytime classes and others for later in the day or at night (including young women) reverse racism at its best all for the mighty dollar. Hang your head in shame Brumby. You are pathetic and weak.

    SICK OF THIS RACIST CRAP Saturday 6 February, 2010 - 5:48 PM

  • If guilty then send them both home please. We do not need them here.

    Thanks

    Rosemarie Sandvik Saturday 6 February, 2010 - 5:31 PM

  • Why Rud gorverment running after Indian gorverment. Indins students dosent want to come to Australia for studyes who cares. we do not want dishonest Indins to come. I love Australia one of the best country to live.
    Rosemarie Saturday 6, February 2010.

    Rosemarie Sandvik Saturday 6 February, 2010 - 5:17 PM

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