Indian man granted 2-year Australia visa after attack

The Australian government has granted a two-year visa extension to Saurabh Anand, a 33-year-old Indian man who nearly lost his hand in a violent machete attack in Melbourne earlier this year. The extension, given on compassionate grounds, will allow him to continue vital medical treatment and opens the possibility of permanent residency.

The Attack

In July 2025, Anand was ambushed by a group of teenagers at Central Square Shopping Centre in Altona Meadows, Victoria. He suffered multiple fractures, stab wounds, and severe nerve damage, with doctors describing his hand as being “hanging by a thread.” Surgeons at Royal Melbourne Hospital managed to reattach his wrist after hours of complex surgery, but his recovery remains ongoing.

Visa Intervention

With his temporary visa nearing expiry, Anand risked deportation despite needing long-term care. Following public concern and political appeals, the government intervened under Section 195A of the Migration Act, which allows discretionary visa grants in the public interest.

The decision was finalized after a meeting with Assistant Minister for Citizenship Julian Hill and Labor MP Tim Watts, who signed the extension documents. Hill called the move “the right thing to do,” noting Anand’s contributions as a former RMIT student and a professional in cybersecurity and AI.

Anand’s Response

Expressing gratitude, Anand said:

“This is a moment where I feel relieved that the government and community have come together to support me through one of the most horrifying moments of my life.”

Wider Implications

The case has sparked discussions on both community safety and humanitarian responsiveness in Australia’s immigration system. Authorities are continuing investigations into the teenage assailants, while Anand begins the long process of rehabilitation with renewed hope of a secure future in Australia.