The governor of the US state of Alabama has apologised to 57-year-old Sureshbhai Patel, all non-resident Indians in the state and the Indian government for the assault on Patel that left him partially paralyzed.
"Please accept our sincere apology for this tragic incident to your government, Patel, and the citizens of India who reside and work in our state," Robert Bentley wrote to Ajit Kumar, India's consul general in Atlanta on Tuesday.
"I deeply regret the unfortunate use of excessive force by the Madison Police Department on Sureshbhai Patel and for the injuries sustained by Mr Patel," he added.
He hoped that Patel regains "full use of his legs".
Bentley also said that that the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency will launch a parallel probe into the use of "excessive force" against Patel on 6 February, reports PTI.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is already investigating into the case.
With improvement in his condition, Patel has been shifted to a rehabilitation centre from the hospital where he was earlier undergoing treatment. However, he is yet to regain the full use of his legs to be able to walk.
Meanwhile, Patel's attorney Henry F Sherrod has dismissed the accusation that the assault on Patel was a case of "racial attack" and said the incident was only a case of misuse of power by the cops and their accountability.
The online appeal to raise funds for Patel's medical expenses has resulted in collection of $1,87,000 from about 4,300 people.
