A student from Hyderabad who was studying in London was stabbed several times at his home in the British capital by unidentified persons, apparently including Indians, after a party on Friday.
The condition of Jangam Praveen Reddy, 27, is said to be critical, and doctors at the Royal Hospital, White Chapel Road, have asked his parents to visit him.
The incident took place after a birthday party of another person at Mr Reddy’s house. The Metropolitan police did not confirm it, but Mr Reddy seems to have been stabbed after an altercation in the house. The police initially arrested 11 men in connection with the stabbing but released seven of them later.
Praveen planned to return on Feb. 17
The Metropolitan police has refused to comment on whether those arrested were Indian or of Indian origin. The Met police also was not ready to say whether there was any racist or hate crime element behind the stabbing.
The police has sealed the house in Newham, London, where Mr Reddy lived for forensic investigation.
Mr Reddy is a student of the London School of Business Management and his family stays at Pragathi Nagar, near Vanasthalipuram in Hyderabad. Family sources said he had gone to London in April 2010, and had completed his degree.
According to information from the hospital, Mr Reddy received three stab injuries, two in his chest and one in his abdomen. He has undergone three major surgeries, including an open heart surgery. The stab injury in his abdomen has caused liver damage as well, said sources.
Family sources said that officers at the British hospital had e-mailed Mr Reddy’s parents, stating that his condition is critical and asking them to reach London as soon as possible.
Just before the incident at about 4.30 am on Friday, Mr Reddy had spoken to his parents and had discussed his trip back to India on February 17. The police informed Mr Reddy’s elder brother Rajashekar Reddy, who stays in the US, of the incident. He in turn informed their family.
Mr Reddy was scheduled to be in Hyderabad to finalise dates for the marriage of his second brother, Mr Jayashekar Reddy.
Mr Praveen Reddy's father J. Sudhakar Reddy said, “My son is very critical and the hospital authorities have asked me to go there as soon as possible.”
Mr Sudhakar Reddy runs a metal crushing business. Foreign minister S.M. Krishna spoke to Mr Sudhakar Reddy and also with the acting high commissioner in London Rajesh Prasad and instructed him to extend all possible help to the injured student.
Sources said that high commission officials in Britain were coordinating with the doctors treating Mr Reddy. The external affairs ministry plans to take up the matter with the British High Commission in New Delhi to ensure speedy visa for his parents, said the sources.
Sources said that as foreign ministry offices are closed over the weekend, the process to issue a visa can be initiated only on Monday. Mr Sudhakar Reddy said Mr Krishna had assured him of all help during his telephonic conversation. An official from the high commission had also called him, Mr Sudhakar Reddy said.
