Hobart, Australia – A 32-year-old Indian student, Devarshi Deka, left his government job to pursue a Master’s in Professional Accounting at the University of Tasmania. However, his dreams were shattered when he was brutally assaulted, leaving him paralyzed and facing mounting medical costs. The attack occurred on November 5th of last year, during a celebration with friends for his new part-time job.
Following the assault, Deka was placed in a medically induced coma for three and a half months. Since then, his recovery journey has been challenging and heartbreaking. He now struggles with impaired vision, a severe brain injury, and paralysis of his legs. Deka expressed the difficulties he faces, stating, “My body has a mind of its own. It doesn’t want to move according to my wish like before.”
The alleged perpetrator, 25-year-old Benjamin Dodge Collings, was granted bail after being arrested. He faces charges of criminal assault, which could result in a sentence of up to 21 years if convicted. Deka’s friend, Rishabh Kaushik, shared concerns about Deka’s future once his student visa and medical insurance expire in March of the following year.
As an international student, Deka does not qualify for Australia’s support systems like Centrelink or the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). His family applied for financial assistance through Tasmania’s Victims of Crime Service, but the decision process may take months. To alleviate the financial burden, Kaushik initiated a GoFundMe campaign to support Deka’s immediate needs and has called for government help for long-term care.
Despite facing challenges and racist abuse while caring for their son, Deka’s parents remain hopeful that the Australian government will offer the necessary support. The University of Tasmania has been assisting the family by providing accommodation, but the duration of this support remains uncertain. As legal proceedings unfold, the future remains unclear for Devarshi Deka and his family, who are grappling with both financial and emotional hardships following the tragic assault.