Punjab boy recovers slowly after brutal attack in South Auckland

Punjab boy Satpal Singh, who survived miraculously after being critically assaulted and left on the road by attackers in the middle of the night almost a week ago, is recovering slowly in Auckland Hospital.

On Sunday, August 20, Indian High Commissioner to New Zealand, Sanjiv Kohli, who is based in Wellington, visited Mr Singh in Auckland hospital to enquire about his well-being and get an update on the recovery process.

According to reliable sources, Mr Singh has survived the scare of a long-term memory loss, though there might be some short-term memory loss. 

Speaking to The Indian Weekender, Indian High Commissioner Sanjiv Kohli, expressed his satisfaction on the recovery of Mr Singh.

“We are keeping a close eye on Mr Singh’s recovery.

“We have written to appropriate authorities to expedite visa process for Brother in Law of Satpal Singh, to be able to come and visit him in Auckland,” Mr Kohli said.

The Indian Weekender has reported earlier that Mr Singh has a sister, who is married, and father who works for Punjab Police, in the family.

Earlier the police had reported that an Indian man was left severely beaten on the footpath at approximately 10.20 p.m. on Tuesday (August 15) night on Great South Road, Takanini.

Since then Police had to launch a massive effort in establishing the identity of Mr Singh with the help of members of public and community leaders.

It was only after 48 hours of assault that the identity of Mr Singh was established by community leaders, though police took more time to verify the details.

It was reported that Mr Singh was assaulted just five minutes away from his home in Takanini when he had gone out for a stroll on Tuesday night after informing his friends that his work visa was approved for three years. 

Mr Singh had first arrived in New Zealand on November 10, 2013, as an international student.

According to reliable sources within community involved in assisting police in the identification, Mr Singh was believed to be walking on the phone when someone hit him hard on the head from the back.