Saurabh Anand, a 33-year-old Indian national who was brutally attacked with a machete in Altona Meadows, Melbourne, Australia, has been granted a two-year visa extension by the Australian government. The decision was made on compassionate grounds, especially considering the severity of his injuries and the need for continued medical treatment.

In July 2025, Anand was attacked by a group of five teenagers while walking home from a pharmacy at the Central Square Shopping Centre. The teenagers reportedly shoved him to the ground and viciously attacked him. During the attack, Anand sustained life-altering injuries, including a near-severed hand, spinal fractures, and ongoing mental trauma. He instinctively raised his arm to defend himself when a teenager held a machete to his throat. The machete went through his wrist, hand, and bone. He was also slashed and stabbed on his shoulder and back. Anand managed to call for help despite being severely injured.

Following the attack, Anand underwent emergency surgery to reattach his hand. Doctors initially considered amputation, but surgeons successfully reattached it using screws.

Anand's initial visa, a subclass 485 visa, was set to expire in August, leaving him facing deportation despite his condition. This prompted public appeals from his local MP, Tim Watts, and the wider community. The government intervened through a provision in the Migration Act, granting the visa extension on public interest grounds. He was briefly placed in administrative detention as part of the process before being issued the new visa. The new visa also places him on a pathway to permanent residency.

Assistant Minister for Citizenship Julian Hill and Tim Watts met with Anand and his mother to formalize the new visa. Watts shared a message of support on Instagram, assuring Anand that he was not alone and that the community stood with him.

Five teenagers have been charged in connection with the attack, including a 15-year-old who was arrested in early August. Two 15-year-olds were charged with intentionally causing serious injury, robbery, and unlawful assault.

The community has rallied around Anand, with a fundraising page raising over $22,000 to support his recovery. Community leaders have also expressed their solidarity.

Anand expressed his relief and gratitude for the support he has received. He stated, "This is a moment where I feel relieved that the government and the community has come together to support me through one of the most horrifying moments in my life. There are still good people out there who want to take care of each other, and we are a part of a community that could stand together".

The visa extension is considered a humane decision that restores faith in Australia's ability to support those in crisis. Anand remains under medical care, focusing on his recovery with the support of his mother, friends, and the Melbourne community.