Melbourne – A young Sikh youth, living in the Sunshine area of Melbourne, on a bridging visa has taken his life, allegedly fearful he might be refused permanent residency and deported back to India.
Deepak Singh, had grown increasingly stressed after his application to permanent residency was refused and decision was put on hold.
As per Deepak’s friends, he did not have enough money to hire a lawyer to fight his case. Afraid that he would be deported, he met Sidhu a couple of months ago and asked him to begin a programme to help Indian students who got stranded in such situations. He was found dead in his car after he committed suicide on Sunday, 17th July.
Deepak arrived in Australia as an international student in 2008 from Amritsar, Punjab. He did a diploma in community welfare here and had dreams to settle down in Australia after finishing his course.
However, a change in Skilled Occupations List during his student visa stranded him ineligible for permanent residency and the immigration department has warned the issue could end up as deportation back to his country.
Speaking to Jasvinder Sidhu over the phone, he advised that Deepak was under acute stress and pressure but had no clue that he will threat his life this way.
Deepak’s family in Amritsar has been contacted about his death and they will be coming to Australia for his last rites.
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