Close X
Saturday, September 21, 2024
ADVT 
International

Australia Grants Special Visa To Indian Sikh For Father's Funeral In India

IANS, 15 Jan, 2016 01:04 PM
    A 26-year-old Indian Sikh was on Friday granted a special visa by the Australian government on humanitarian grounds.
     
    The special visa will allow Jaspal Singh to return to Australia after attending his father's funeral in India, ABC reported on Friday.
     
    The 26-year-old, who arrived in Australia as a student, was awaiting the arrival of his father and mother at Melbourne Airport on Monday morning when the tragedy struck.
     
    Gurdyal Singh collapsed at the arrival gate following a suspected heart attack. He died at the scene, despite the efforts of paramedics. 
     
    The family was making arrangements for the funeral in India and Jaspal Singh was planning to escort the body back home.
     
    However, Jaspal Singh's case was complicated by the class of bridging visa, which meant he was at risk of being blocked from coming back to Australia.
     
    Jaspal Singh's visa had expired for three weeks in 2013 after his separation from his previous partner.
     
    He had applied for a new visa with his wife Mandeep Kaur but was waiting for approval by Immigration Minister Peter Dutton.
     
    Following an appeal from his family, Jaspal Singh was granted special visa. 
     
    Describing Jaspal Singh's situation as complex, a spokesman for the Immigration Minister Dutton, in a statement said: "Mr. Singh has been given a bridging visa which will enable him to escort his father's body to India and then return to Australia."

    MORE International ARTICLES

    Mohamed Fahmy Asks Egyptian Authorities To Restore His Citizenship

    Mohamed Fahmy Asks Egyptian Authorities To Restore His Citizenship
    Mohamed Fahmy said he initially refused to give up his Egyptian citizenship when it was suggested to him as a way of speeding up his release.

    Mohamed Fahmy Asks Egyptian Authorities To Restore His Citizenship

    Official Visit, State Dinner At White House For Justin Trudeau Set For Mid-March

    Trudeau and his wife are to be welcomed by the Obamas for an official visit and state dinner at the White House on March 10.

    Official Visit, State Dinner At White House For Justin Trudeau Set For Mid-March

    Another Hate Crime: 'Americans Attacking Sikhs Thinking They're Muslims'

    Another Hate Crime: 'Americans Attacking Sikhs Thinking They're Muslims'
    In the latest string of incidents targeting turbaned Sikh Americans, Amrik Singh Bal, 68, was assaulted in California

    Another Hate Crime: 'Americans Attacking Sikhs Thinking They're Muslims'

    Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif Dons Pink Turban Gifted To Him By Narendra Modi At Granddaughter's Wedding

    Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif Dons Pink Turban Gifted To Him By Narendra Modi At Granddaughter's Wedding
    Nawaz donned the 'Indian Rajasthani pink turban' during Modi's surprise visit on Friday, a source at Nawaz's Jati Umrah residence told the Press.

    Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif Dons Pink Turban Gifted To Him By Narendra Modi At Granddaughter's Wedding

    U.S. Court Reverses Conviction Of Man For Trying To Encourage Ontario Student's Suicide

    U.S. Court Reverses Conviction Of Man For Trying To Encourage Ontario Student's Suicide
    MINNEAPOLIS — An appeals court has reversed the conviction of a Minnesota man for trying to encourage an 18-year-old Carleton University student to kill herself.

    U.S. Court Reverses Conviction Of Man For Trying To Encourage Ontario Student's Suicide

    Australian Band Sparks Outrage With Naked Shoot

    Australian Band Sparks Outrage With Naked Shoot
    The band's members -- Luke Hemmings, Calum Hood, Ashton Irwin, and Michael Clifford -- posed for the January issue of Rolling Stone magazine. 

    Australian Band Sparks Outrage With Naked Shoot