A 33-year-old Indian-origin man, Saurabh Anand, is recovering in a Melbourne hospital after a violent machete attack by a group of teenagers on July 19, 2025. The assault occurred outside the Central Square Shopping Centre in Altona Meadows at approximately 7:30 PM. Anand was ambushed while walking home after picking up medication from a pharmacy.

According to reports, Anand was on a phone call when he noticed movement nearby. He was quickly surrounded by five teenagers. One of the teens began rifling through his pockets while another repeatedly punched him in the head until he fell to the ground. A third teenager then pulled out a machete and held it to Anand's throat.

Anand's instinctive reaction was to raise his arm to protect his face and wrist. The machete, however, sliced through his wrist, hand, and bone. Anand was also slashed and stabbed on his shoulder and back. The attack resulted in a fractured spine, broken bones in his arm, and head injuries. "All I remember is the pain, and my hand was hanging by a thread," Anand stated from his hospital bed.

Despite his severe injuries, Anand managed to stumble outside the shopping center and call for help. Passersby rushed to his aid and contacted emergency services. He was transported to Royal Melbourne Hospital, where doctors initially considered amputating his left hand. After hours of emergency surgery, surgeons were able to reattach the hand, inserting screws into his wrist and hand. However, his long-term recovery remains uncertain. Anand reported that he is unable to move his hand and feels constant pain.

Four teenagers have been arrested in connection with the attack. A 14-year-old from Wyndham has been charged with intentionally causing serious injury, robbery, and unlawful assault and was remanded in custody until August 15. Two 15-year-olds from Hobsons Bay, also charged with similar offenses, were released on bail and are scheduled to appear in court on August 11. Another 14-year-old is expected to be charged on summons. Police are still searching for the fifth suspect.

Anand expressed distress upon learning that two of the attackers were granted bail. "I'm seeking justice," Anand said. "I don't want anyone else in the community to be going through the same trauma I have". He also stated that he is now afraid to return home and that his partner has been staying with him in the hospital.

The attack on Anand comes amid a surge in knife violence and youth crime in Victoria. Police are reportedly making over 200 arrests per day and seizing an increasing number of edged weapons. In response, the Victorian government has introduced stricter bail laws for repeat offenders and will implement a complete ban on machete possession starting September 1.

In a separate incident, another Indian-origin man, Charanpreet Singh, was allegedly assaulted and racially abused in Adelaide following a parking dispute.