Tarun Asthana, a 25 year-old Mt Albert man who was knocked to the ground outside a fast food outlet near Britomart shortly after 5 am on Sunday morning (November 3), died in Auckland Hospital at about 11.30 this morning (Monday, November 4).
He was surrounded by family and friends at the time of his death and had been on a life support system since he was allegedly assaulted by a 27 year-old naval rating man.
The accused, residing in Mt Roskill appeared in Court on a charge of assaulting Mr Asthana.
The New Zealand Herald said in its web edition that the Court denied name suppression to the accused.
His name was given as Grenville David McFarland.
The publication said that McFarland’s lawyer John Corby sought an order for interim name suppression, saying that McFarland’s 80-year-old grandmother, who was not in good health, was yet to be informed of his arrest.
He also objected to media reports that characterised the attack as a ‘brutal assault’ on Mr Asthana, saying that was not a fair description.
“Judge David Cameron was advised during the court appearance, just before noon (today) that the victim Tarun Asthana, 25, had died of his injuries at Auckland Hospital. Police said more serious charges were likely,” the report said.
McFarland did not enter a plea and was remanded on bail until November 15.
“Bail was not opposed by Police. Judge Cameron said that he was imposing very strict bail conditions, but said that they did not need to be read in open court,” the Herald report said.
