Subway death: Indian businessman cremated in New York

A 46-year old Indian immigrant, who was killed after being pushed by a woman onto the subway train tracks, was cremated here in the presence of his friends and business partners.

Sunando Sen's cremation was held yesterday and was attended by his friends, business partners and a representative of the Indian Consulate in New York, a senior Consulate official told PTI.

Sen, who owned a printing and copying business near Columbia University, died after being pushed by 31-year old Erika Menendez in front of an oncoming train at a Queens subway station on December 27.

 Sen was unmarried and did not have any family in India.

He had lived with roommates in a small apartment for the last 16 years.

The official described Sen's death as "very very sad" and said his friends were in mourning over his tragic demise.

Sen's friends had been in touch with the Indian consulate for arranging his cremation.

Erika Menendez has been charged with murder as a hate crime and ordered to undergo psychiatric examination by a judge after she said at her arraignment last week that she "thought it would be cool" to push Sen because she thought he "was a Muslim."

"I pushed a Muslim," Assistant District Attorney Michelle Kaszuba quoted Menendez as telling detectives during the hearing.

"There is no reason. I just pushed him in front of the train because I thought it would be cool. I just pushed him because he was Muslim."

Menendez faces a maximum of 25 years to life in prison if convicted.

After being arrested, Menendez had told the police that "I pushed a Muslim off the train tracks because I hate Hindus and Muslims ever since 2001 when they put down the twin towers I've been beating them up."

She also did not show any remorse at her arraignment, laughing uncontrollably and saying that she did not regret her actions.

The next court hearing has been set for January 14, who has not yet entered a plea and is being held without bail.

Queens Judge Gia Morris ordered that Menendez undergo a psychiatric evaluation before her next court hearing.

Menendez has a history of run-ins with the police. She was arrested at least twice on misdemeanour charges related to violence.

Her family members have also called the police several times about her erratic behaviour and mood swings, including once when her mother reported to police that she was "threatening to harm herself and others."

Her arrests include on charges of possessing cocaine and marijuana, using a stolen credit card, harassment and assault.