In Canada, two Indian citizens were discovered murdered within two weeks, raising alarm among the Indian community, although authorities state that the situations of the two deaths are unrelated.
The most recent event was the deadly shooting of Indian doctoral student Shivank Avasthi close to the University of Toronto's Scarborough campus. Previously, an Indian woman named Himanshi Khurana was killed in what authorities believe to be a case of intimate partner violence.
Indian PhD student fatally shot near Toronto university
On Tuesday, Toronto Police reported that Shivank Avasthi, an Indian doctoral student, was fatally shot near the Highland Creek Trail and Old Kingston Road, in proximity to the University of Toronto Scarborough Campus.
Authorities reported that they quickly arrived at the location upon being informed of the shooting and discovered the victim with a gunshot injury. According to the Toronto Sun, he was declared dead at the site. Officials mentioned that the suspects escaped prior to the police's arrival, and the campus was secured during the investigation.
As reported by the Toronto Sun, this incident was Toronto's 41st homicide of the year and the second fatality involving an Indian national in the city within a few days. The Consulate General of India in Toronto stated that they are in contact with the victim's family and are offering support.
The Consulate General of India in Toronto expressed profound sorrow regarding the unfortunate demise of Mr. Shivank Avasthi, a young Indian doctoral student, who was fatally shot near the University of Toronto Scarborough Campus, as stated in a message on X.
Indian woman found dead; suspected to be a case of intimate partner violence
In another event, 30-year-old Indian citizen Himanshi Khurana was discovered dead in Toronto last week. The police released an image of the victim that corresponded with one shared on social media by a user with the same name. On that account, she identified herself as a digital creator residing in Toronto.
Canadian police have verified the homicide and have issued a search warrant for 32-year-old Abdul Ghafoori, who is charged with first-degree murder.
According to a press release from the Toronto Police Service, officers reacted to a report of a missing person in the vicinity of Strachan Avenue and Wellington Street West on the night of December 19. By approximately 6:30 am on Saturday, December 20, police discovered the woman deceased inside a home.
Authorities reported that it is claimed the victim and the suspect were acquainted.
How the murder was discovered
Toronto Police officers first reacted to a report of a missing person at 10:41 p.m. on Friday, after which an investigation commenced.
According to a statement released by Toronto Police on Monday, officers discovered the missing woman dead in a home on Saturday morning. The case was subsequently deemed a homicide, prompting the Homicide Unit to assume control of the investigation.
