MEA assures assistance for man allegedly paralysed by police thrashing in Madison

The Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday said it was providing all consular assistance to Indian national, Sureshbhai Patel, who was left partially paralyzed in the U.S. after allegedly being thrashed by a policeman.

The said the Consulate General in Atlanta had been in touch with the Madison police chief, who had ordered an inquiry into the incident.

"As soon as we got to know about this sad incident, Consulate General in Atlanta in touch with Madison police chief and sought his intervention in the matter. He was quick to respond, he indicated that he too was concerned about the report on the matter," MEA spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin told ANI.

"He (Madison police chief) has ordered an inquiry into it and will share the outcome in a transparent manner. Simultaneously, through our Consulate General we have got in touch with Suresh bhai's family and have deputed a Consulate official who is travelling to meet him and offer any consulate assistance that is required," he added.

As per reports, the policeman forced Sureshbhai Patel, 57, to the ground when he went out for a walk. The police had reportedly got a complaint from someone in the neighbourhood about a 'suspicious man' and when they confronted Patel, he could not answer as he knew no English.