Narendra Modi condoles murder of NRI girl in Australia

Chief minister of Gujarat Narendra Modi on Thursday expressed deep 'sorrow' and 'anguish' over the murder of an NRI student Tosha Thakker in Australia on March 9.

The 24-year-old Tosha Thakker was raped and and murdered in Sydney on March 9. Her body was found stuffed inside a suitcase near a canal in Sydney last week.

Modi while offering his condolences asked the state resident commissioner in Delhi to render all possible help to her relatives and co-ordinate with the ministry of external affairs in bringing Tosha's body to her hometown.

Sydney police charged 19-year-old Daniel Stani-Reginald of Sri Lankan origin, who used to be the neighbour of the victim, for sexually assaulting and killing her.

The crime has been described by a senior police officer dealing with the case as a "predatory" act.

Tosha, daughter of a local businessmen Sunil Thakkar, was pursuing her post-graduate course in accountancy in Australia for the last three years.

Meanwhile, the state government has made all the necessary arrangements at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel international airport in Ahmedabad to receive Tosha's body, which is likely to reach Ahmedabad on March 19, on way to her hometown of Vadodara, sources said.

A memorial service for Tosha was held in Sydney College of Business and IT today.