A coronial inquest into the brutal 2017 stabbing of Indian national Sham Lal at a Melbourne shopping centre has unveiled disturbing allegations of catastrophic security failures, painting a picture of a tragedy that could have been prevented.
The heartbroken family of the 36-year-old victim delivered a powerful and emotional statement to the Coroners Court of Victoria, expressing their profound grief and their relentless pursuit of answers. 'Our family has been shattered... we demand to know why this was allowed to happen,' the family's statement read, a sentiment that echoed through the courtroom.
A Fateful Day at Galleria Shopping Centre
The proceedings detailed the events of October 19th, 2017, when Mr. Lal was working at the Galleria Shopping Centre in Melbourne's east. The inquest heard that a security guard, tasked with protecting the premises, allegedly launched a violent and unprovoked attack on Mr. Lal with a knife.
Shockingly, counsel assisting the coroner, David Hallowes, revealed that the security firm involved, Civic Guard Australia, had received multiple concerning reports about the guard's behaviour in the weeks leading up to the attack. Despite these red flags, no decisive action was taken to remove him from his position.
Systemic Failures and Missed Opportunities
The inquest is scrutinising the sequence of missed opportunities that led to the fatal incident. Evidence suggests the guard's conduct had already caused alarm, yet he remained on duty. This has raised serious questions about the adequacy of the security company's protocols and its duty of care towards both its employees and the public it was hired to protect.
Mr. Hallowes stated that the evidence will likely show the stabbing was a 'preventable tragedy,' highlighting a devastating breakdown in security management and personnel oversight.
A Family's Unending Anguish
The human cost of the incident was laid bare by the testimony of Mr. Lal's family. Having travelled from India to attend the inquest, they described him as a beloved son and brother whose life was cruelly cut short. Their statement spoke of unimaginable pain and a six-year wait for justice and accountability.
The inquest, presided over by Coroner Audrey Jamieson, continues as it seeks to establish the full facts surrounding Mr. Lal's death and to determine what changes are necessary to prevent a similar horror from occurring again.
