Indian-origin man punched in Auckland passes away

The 25-year-old Indian man, Tarun Asthana, who was fatally punched in Auckland, took his last breath on Monday after his life support was switched off.

Asthana, a trained teacher, was punched outside McDonald's in downtown Queen St early on Saturday morning after he was returning from a night of clubbing.

According to stuff.co.nz, the offender allegedly approached Asthana after a woman got upset when he complimented her on her dress and the punch was so fatal that he had to be put on a life support at the city hospital.

Asthana's last words for his friend, Eddie Lo, who was with him when he was knocked out were, 'I love you, bro'.

Lo said that his friend's death was heartbreaking adding that Asthana had the gift of motivating and inspiring others.

Asthana's former employer Garry Bates at The Falls Restaurant, where he served front of house, said that he was great guy who was nice to be around.

The report said that the offender, Grenville David McFarland, 27, appeared in the Auckland District Court charged with assaulting Asthana and police have indicated the charge will be upgraded.

McFarland will reappear in court on November 15.