A memorial will be set up in Australia to honour the Indian-origin bus driver who was brutally killed by a man in Brisbane last month triggering massive outrage among the Indian community in the country.

According to the preliminary investigation by the Australian authorities, the probable cause behind the the horrific killing of 29-year-old Manmeet Sharma alias Alisher was the mental illness of the assailant.

Minister of State for External Affairs V K Singh said in response to a question in Rajya Sabha that, the Brisbane City Council has pledged to honour Manmeet by setting up a permanent memorial for him. He was a well-known singer in the Punjabi community.

The Council also has set up a fund to support Manmeet's family to which an initial contribution of $10,000 each has been made by the Queensland Premier's Office and Lord Mayor's office.

Manmeet was burnt to death on October 28. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had raised India's concern over the incident with his Australian counterpart Malcolm Turnbull.

Singh said that, "Motive for the attack is still under investigation but preliminary interrogation has indicated mental illness of the assailant as the probable cause."

India has called for a thorough investigation so that justice is delivered to the bereaved family, he said.

Also Read: Modi takes up killing of Indian-origin bus driver with Australian PM!

Nandini