By IANS,
Hyderabad: The bail petition of an Australian arrested on an attempt to murder charge in coastal city of Visakhapatnam is expected to come up for hearing Tuesday.
Justin Lewis Reibel, 30, was arrested Jan 8 after he shot a local resident on the beach with an air rifle for allegedly urinating in public.
The local police, however, disputed his version and said the victim was walking on the road with his brother when shot.
Reibel, who was remanded in judicial custody till Jan 20 by a local court, is currently lodged in Visakhapatnam Central Jail.
The bail plea filed by the Australian’s lawyer is expected to come up for hearing Tuesday in the court of second additional metropolitan sessions judge.
Lawyers said Reibel may have to spend more time behind bars if the bail plea is not taken up Tuesday as the court has holidays from Jan 13 to Jan 17 on account of Sakranti.
According to police, the Australian marine engineer was having a party on the terrace of his 10-storeyed apartment complex on Ramakrishna Beach Road on Jan 7 night, and was reportedly drunk when he opened fire at a pedestrian Santosh, 25, who was returning home.
The pellet hit Santosh in the arm. The youth was taken to a hospital, where the pellet was removed and he was discharged a few hours later.
The next day police picked up Reibel and recovered the air gun which he had hidden beneath the water tank on the terrace. Police booked him for attempt to murder.
Reibel was working for Liteen Contractors India Private Limited, which took up contract works with Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL).
Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade offered Reibel consular assistance. An Australian official visited him Saturday.
The incident has come amid the strained relations between the two countries over the continuing attacks on Indian students in Australia.