New York, NY (August 20, 2014): After nearly three weeks of sustained Sikh community activism, the New York Police Department (NYPD) arrested 55-year-old Joseph Caleca for hitting, dragging, and seriously injuring Sandeep Singh with a truck in Queens late last month. While Sandeep continues to recover at home from his injuries, Caleca faces attempted murder and hate crime charges.
The Sikh Coalition is grateful to the NYPD’s Hate Crimes Task Force for its ongoing efforts to deliver justice to Sandeep Singh and his family. The Sikh Coalition also thanks the Department of Justice’s Community Relations Service for their work to address community tensions related to the hate attack.
Roosevelt Island Case Still Unsolved
A few days after Sandeep Singh was attacked, another Sikh—Dr. Jaspreet Singh Batra—was assaulted on Roosevelt Island, New York City, in front of his mother. The investigation is still ongoing. The Sikh Coalition has called on the NYPD’s Hate Crimes Task Force to use its specialized expertise to capture his assailants.
“I made the call to the Sikh Coalition around midnight while I was being treated in the ER. Not only did the team listen to me patiently, but also took action immediately and offered me all their support and available resources. Words cannot express my gratitude for all the assistance I have received from this team. They are very proactive and engage various law enforcement agencies to pursue these cases with due diligence.” – Dr. Jaspreet Singh Batra.