Australian High Commission
New Delhi
India, Bhutan

PA1211 Australian Government condemns the murder of Tosha Thakkar

PA/12/11                                     14 March 2011

Australian Government condemns the murder of Tosha Thakkar

The Australian High Commission extends its sincere condolences to the family and friends of Tosha Thakkar who was murdered in Sydney last week.

Australia’s High Commissioner to India, His Excellency Peter N Varghese has sent a personal message of condolence to Mr Thakkar and has also spoken to the family.

The Australian police have acted quickly – they arrested a suspect on Friday, the same day as the discovery of the victim's body. The New South Wales Police have charged a 19 year-old with murder and aggravated sexual assault. In a court hearing in Sydney today the suspect was denied bail.

This brutal killing will shock Australians. The police are determined that the perpetrator will be brought to justice.

There is no indication that this awful crime was racially motivated.

Our thoughts are with Tosha’s family and friends in India and Australia.

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