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Home attack in Jerusalem
Indian caregiver Rajiv Acharya was killed in a home attack in Jerusalem last month while working for an elderly couple, and Israeli authorities arrested a suspect in connection with the case.
“The victim, Rajiv Acharya, was reportedly attacked with a sharp object”
The Times Now said Acharya was attacked with a sharp object, suffered severe blood loss, and later died, while Israeli authorities identified Avior Zaken, the grandson of the elderly couple, as the suspect.
Times Now reported that an indictment submitted by Jerusalem District Attorney's Office prosecutor Gini Avner alleges Zaken had been released from prison in July and visited his grandparents' home for lunch.
After lunch, the indictment alleges Acharya went to his room to rest, and Zaken entered the room and, during a conversation with Acharya, decided to kill him, according to Times Now.
The Indian Embassy in Israel said it was in close contact with Israeli authorities, and News18 added that the embassy expressed condolences over Acharya’s death and said it was in close contact with Israeli authorities.
Indictment and custody
NDTV said Israeli authorities filed an indictment against Avior Zaken, identified in a community appeal as the grandson of the elderly couple for whom Acharya worked, and that Zaken is in custody as the case proceeds through the Israeli judicial system.
NDTV reported that the Embassy of India said the accused faces a charge of premeditated murder under Section 300(a) of the Israeli Penal Code and remains in custody while the legal proceedings continue.
According to the indictment details cited by NDTV, prosecutors allege Zaken attacked Acharya while the caregiver was resting in his room, causing fatal injuries.
NDTV also said prosecutors alleged the accused subsequently tried to conceal what had happened and left the scene carrying the weapon and other evidence, and that these are allegations before the court.
The Times of India similarly said Israeli prosecutors were pursuing murder charges against a suspect and that Zaken remains in custody while the case moves through the Israeli courts.
Family seeks justice
After Acharya’s death, his cousin Parichit Acharya told Sikkim Chronicle that the family was seeking proper legal proceedings through the Indian Embassy and also financial justice.
“the family was seeking proper legal proceedings through the Indian Embassy”
Times Now reported that Acharya is survived by his elderly parents, wife and two children, and that the Indian community in Israel called for a thorough investigation and the prosecution of those responsible.
News18 said the Indian community in Israel urged authorities to strengthen measures to protect foreign workers from violence and abuse, while NDTV described an August 18 appeal calling for a thorough prosecution, support and compensation for Acharya's family, and stronger measures to protect foreign workers.
NDTV added that the community appeal argues many caregivers work and live inside private homes where their workplace can also become their living environment, leaving workers vulnerable if they face threats, violence or other unsafe circumstances.
The Times of India said the killing prompted calls for greater protection for Indian workers employed as live-in caregivers in Israel, and that community representatives said workers living inside employers' homes can face particular vulnerabilities because their work and accommodation are tied to the same location.