Dear Sir
Neeraj Bhardwaj is a 23 year old an Indian student who was attacked in Batman park near, Rebecca walk in Melbourne. The Age News Paper stated that he was attacked near the aquarium and when he was waiting for tram . Actually, he was attacked in Batman Park on April 5, 2010. The attack happened early morning, when he was sleep . I have known Neeraj since March 2010. I met him at Batman Park when I was staying there for a couple of week because I did not have accommodation, and I was waiting to receive my tax return money in order to return to India.

Because I was overstaying in Australia, I met with the Immigration Department (level 15, 2 Lonsdale street Melbourne VIC 3001) every week to renew my bridging visa. During the interviews they told me that I was effected by PIC 4014 so I can not be granted a temporary visa for a period of three years after I leave Australia. I then asked them write a letter with their signature stating the reason, otherwise I will not go back to India without the letter.

Nathan Reich who is an immigration officer that was handling my case told me that he is not allowed to give a letter with his signature. He then told me that they will detain me if I do not go back to India. I told him that I will hunger strike at the Parliament in Canberra if he did not give the letter.

After two days, Neeraj was attacked in Batman Park, which was the place I used to sleep. That same night I slept at the part till night, then I went to Southern Cross Railway Station because I was getting cold in the park. At that time Neeraj came to the park and slept there. The next morning, I came back to the park from the Southern Cross Station and I noticed three blankets with blood. About one hour after, Neeraj arrived from hospital and told me that he was attacked at early morning and that he was told by the doctor that he may lose his eyesight.

When I saw Neeraj, his eyes were totally damaged and he looked terrible. I told him to go police station but he refused. He told me that police does not do anything for Indians. I then left from Batman Park because I was disappointed and upset that Neeraj would not go to the Police. The next day, April 6, 2010, I met with Neeraj again at Victoria Library in Melbourne. I asked him if he were to lose his eyes in the future, how does he plan to live pay fro his education loan to the Indian bank. If he files a complaint, the Australian government may take care of your hospital bills. He was then is ready to go to police station and we made a complaint on 6 April 2010. Otherwise, this attack would not have been reported. On 7 April, which was the last day on my bridging visa, I went to immigration office. That was when I received the letter from Phoebe Maher who is Manager for Status Resolution Team.

During the conversation on 7 April, 2010, with Nathan Reich and Phoebe Maher, I understood that they were behind the attack. Now I believe that Neeraj was attacked by the Australian Immigration Department. Nathan Reich and Phoebe Maher were behind this attack, both working in Status resolution branch, level 15, 2 Lonsdale street Melbourne VIC 3001.

I think the attack was actually against me but unfortunately Neeraj was wrongly attacked. Neeraj came to Batman Park sometime around midnight and slept there. Neeraj usually does not sleep there, he came there just once in a while. I was the one who stayed and slept there for one month. The Immigration Department knew that because I told them during the interviews.

I filed for my tax return in March 2010, in order to book my flight ticket to return to India. It took about one month to get my money when it usually takes only 3 to 5 days. I told the police officer that Neeraj and I were going to the media to report this attack. They knew that if I stay in Australia, I would take Neeraj everywhere and report this attack. The tax department paid and credited the money into my account on 06 April 2010. This was done after we made complaints in police station. I went ATM saw that my money was just credited at that time. I believe that is the reason why the tax department paid my money at that time. On 06 April 2010, I booked my ticket to return to India. That is the only money I have to go back to India.

Now I do not know where Neeraj is or how the investigation is going. I emailed one of the Victoria police officers, Grag Loganan, but I have not received any replies.