Thaindian News

Jalandhar, July 9 (IANS) The main accused in the assault on African student Yannick Nihangaza here in April, Amandeep Singh, has been arrested, police said Monday.

Amandeep is the fourth accused to be arrested in this case. He is the brother of Sahildeep Singh, another accused arrested earlier along with suspect Bunny Ralhan.

Accused Romi Uppal, son of a Punjab Police officer, surrendered Saturday. His surrender and Amandeep’s arrest came over two months after the April 21 incident.

Yannick, who is in coma for over two months at a hospital in Patiala, 80 km from Chandigarh, had suffered irreversible brain damage after he was mercilessly beaten up and stoned by the accused.

Doctors said that chances of Yannick’s recovery were remote even though plans were afoot to shift him to the Post-Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research in Chandigarh for treatment. He has been under treatment at a pivate hospital in Patiala.

Yannick, who was pursuing a B.Sc. degree in computers at the Lovely Professional University near Jalandhar, was attacked after an argument with some men outside a liquor shop close to his rented accommodation, police said. He was headed for a party when he was attacked.

His father, who arrived in India April 29, after being told about his son’s condition, brought him to Patiala for treatment.

Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal Friday announced immediate cash assistance of Rs.500,000 for Yannick after his father wrote two letters to the chief minister pleading for help.

Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal said that no one, howsoever influential, would be spared in this case.