‘Blow Up Their Apartment Building’: Australian Teen Charged With Hate Crime for Threatening Indian Family in Brisbane

A 19-year-old Australian man has been charged with a hate crime after allegedly racially abusing an Indian family and threatening to blow up their apartment building in Brisbane, prompting the family to consider returning to India over safety fears.

The accused, Harley Adams, allegedly shouted racist insults at the family at a unit complex in Morningside around 12.30 am on Monday, Queensland Police said. He was later arrested at a local hotel by heavily armed police officers wearing tactical gear.

Adams was charged with three counts of making threats and an offence relating to serious vilification or hate crime. He appeared before the Brisbane Magistrates Court via video link on Wednesday and was granted bail under strict conditions.

Court Hears Details of Alleged Threats

Police prosecutor Sergeant Matt Kahler described the alleged incident as an “extraordinary racist outburst”. The court also heard that Adams had allegedly threatened to blow himself up along with other people at the apartment complex.

Kahler told the court that Adams believed the Indian family had lodged a police complaint against him, resulting in his eviction.

The alleged threats have also affected other residents. Police said several people living in the complex had been breaking their leases and moving out because of Adams’ behaviour.

The Indian family has been left deeply shaken and is considering breaking its lease and returning to India over fears for its safety.

Bail Granted Under Strict Conditions

The court ordered Adams to wear an electronic monitoring device, stay away from the apartment complex and its residents, and report to a police station three times a week.

According to The Sydney Morning Herald, Adams’ lawyer told the court that the teenager had struggled since his mother’s death 18 months ago. The lawyer also said he had been diagnosed with autism and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Adams is working with social services to find alternative accommodation. The next hearing is scheduled for November 16.

Concerns Over Anti-Indian Sentiment

The case comes amid growing concerns over racist abuse and anti-Indian sentiment in Australia, where immigration has become a flashpoint in public debate.

Indian Australians have reported hostility online and in public spaces, while community members have raised concerns about increasingly aggressive rhetoric targeting migrants.

Australia’s 2026 human rights assessment also flagged rising anti-immigrant sentiment and warned that migrants, including Indians, were being singled out.