Sureshbhai Patel's condition remains a 'matter of concern': MEA

The Ministry of External Affairs on Friday said the condition of Indian national Sureshbhai Patel, who was left partially paralyzed in the U.S. after allegedly being thrashed by a policeman, had progressed a bit but still remains a matter of concern.

"Our understanding of the situation is that while there has been some progress in his medical situation, it still is a matter of concern. The police chief of Madison County has also taken some action at his level. We understand there is an effort at the federal level also on this matter," MEA spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin told ANI.

"Our council general in Atlanta had deputed a council level official who was in Madison County yesterday. He has met a lot of local officials there as well as the family of Mr. Sureshbhai Patel and the doctors who are attending on him," he added.

"However, I can assure you that we intend to pursue this matter suitably here in Delhi through the U.S. mission, in Washington through our mission as well as several other local authorities in Alabama," Akbaruddin said.

He said it was important that Indian nationals abroad feel safe.

"For us, it is important that the Indian community which is a peaceful community, which is a community which is highly regarded and a community which has contributed in immense ways to Indo-US relations, feels safe, secure and is a bridge between India and United States," Akbaruddin added.

As per reports, a Madison policeman assaulted Sureshbhai Patel, 57, on February 6 when he went out for a walk in Alabama, where he had gone to meet his son.

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.

Patel is currently undergoing treatment at a city hospital and the officer who allegedly thrashed him has reportedly been arrested.