US: Missing Indian Student Found Dead Month Later; Year's 11Th Case

A Hyderabad-origin student identified as Mohammed Abdul Arfath in Ohio, US, was found dead on April 8, over a month after he was reported missing. On March 7, the 25-year-old Cleveland State University student was reported missing after his parents in India and his roommates could not reach him. The case turned more devastating when Arfath's parents in India received a ransom call on March 19, demanding $1,200 (US) for his release. The unidentified caller also threatened to sell Arfath's kidneys if the payment was not made promptly. Cleveland Police is investigating the case and the Indian consulate is extending assistance to his family.

Anguished to learn that Mr. Mohammed Abdul Arfath, for whom search operation was underway, was found dead in Cleveland, Ohio.

Our deepest condolences to Mr Mohammed Arfath’s family. @IndiainNewYork is in touch with local agencies to ensure thorough investigation into Mr… https://t.co/FRRrR8ZXZ8

— India in New York (@IndiainNewYork) April 9, 2024

The recent rise in cases of attacks and deaths of Indian persons urges cognisance into the matter of safeguarding immigrants and Indian natives in the United States. More than eleven cases of killings and attacks against Indians have been reported in 2024. US President Joe Biden and his administration have said that they are action to curb the attacks.

Alarming Rate Of Indians Attacked In The US

April 5: Uma Satya Sai Gadde

In a similar case to Arfath's, a man named Uma Satya Sai Gadde, was found dead in Cleveland on April 5 but the cause of death is unknown. The Indian Consulate in New York said that the police have begun a probe into the case. Posting on X, the Indian Consulate wrote, "A police investigation is underway. @IndiainNewYork continues to remain in touch with the family in India. All possible assistance is being extended including to transport Mr. Uma Gadde’s mortal remains to India at the earliest."

March 11: Abhijit Paruchuri

The body of Abhijit Paruchuri, originally from Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, was found inside a car abandoned in a forest on March 11 in the United States. Reportedly, an unidentified person killed the 20-year-old and investigations are underway to find the assailant Police believe that the motive behind the murder was robbery, while some other reports have alleged potential altercations with fellow students at the Boston University.

March 1: Amarnath Ghosh

Amarnath Ghosh, a 34-year-old classical dancer pursuing a PhD at Washington University, was shot dead in St Louis, Missouri. Actress Devoleena Banerjee, a good friend of Ghosh, posted on X, "He was from Kolkata. Excellent dancer, was pursuing PhD, was taking an evening walk and suddenly he was shot multiple times by an unknown."

She sought help from the Indian embassy and India's Ministry of External Affairs. The Indian Consulate in Chicago posted on X, "Consulate is extending all help to relatives of deceased Amarnath Ghosh. Taken up the case strongly with St Louis police and the University for investigation of the reprehensible gun attack."

February 5: Sameer Kamath

An Indian-origin student of Purdue University was found dead in a park on February 5. According to the Press Trust of India, e. The Warren County Coroner’s office has ruled his death as suicide, saying that it was from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. The press release said that a forensic autopsy was performed on Kamath on February 6. A toxicology report is pending. Sameer Kamath was a US citizen who was completing his doctorate in mechanical engineering.

Abhinav Ramkumar, a friend of Kamath's said that Kamath visited Counseling and Psychological Services twice in the months leading up to his death. Both times, Ramkumar went with him, as they both struggled with social interaction and were able to bond over it. “We need to do more for mental health and a renewed attention on graduate students. Especially people who are from different types of backgrounds," he said.

February 2: Vivek Taneja

A 41-year-old Indian-origin businessman died on February 7, five days after he was injured in an assault in Washington. On February 2, Vivek Taneja sustained life-threatening head injuries after a verbal argument turned violent outside a restaurant in downtown Washington. The Metropolitan Police Department caught the assault on surveillance cameras, where the suspect can be seen blowing a punch, after which Taneja fell to the ground and hit his head on the pavement.

Police are now treating Taneja's death as a homicide and are actively on the lookout for the unidentified attacker. The MPD is offering a reward to anyone who provides information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the crime. 

February 1: Shreyas Reddy Beniger 

On February 1, Shreyas Reddy Beniger, another Indian-American student was found dead in the state of Ohio, USA. The 19-year-old's parents reportedly live in Hyderabad and he was a student at the Linder School of Business in Ohio. Although the cause of his death was not revealed, the Indian Consulate in New York had stated that any foul play or hate crime had been ruled out.

January 29: Neel Acharya

An Indian student of Purdue University, USA, was found dead on campus after a day of going missing. Neel Acharya was last seen by an Uber driver who dropped him off at campus. His mother, Gaury Acharya had sought help from X to trace Neel, just hours before his death was confirmed. The cause of death has not been disclosed. Neel Acharya was a student of computer science and data science at Purdue.

January 20: Akul Dhawan

Akul Dhawan, an Indian-origin student was found dead on January 20 near a nightclub in Illinois, USA, several hours after he was reported missing. Over a month later, on February 22, the police revealed that the 18-year-old froze to death after the club denied him entry. They added that Dhawan had consumed alcohol and died of hypothermia. 

January 16: Vivek Saini

On the night of January 16, a 25-year-old Haryana man studying in the US was murdered by a homeless man. Vivek Saini was working part-time at a convenience store where he offered some water, a pack of chips, and a jacket to the homeless man, Julian Faulkner. After the compassionate act, Saini asked Faulkner to leave the store but Saini was attacked with a hammer, leading to his death. Saini belonged to Panchakula and was pursuing an MBA in Georgia's Lithonia.

President Biden's Response

US President Joe Biden and administration opened up about the recent rise in attacks on Indian immigrants and Indian-American persons in the country. White House administration said that Biden is working "very hard" to stop the slew of attacks and mysterious deaths reported from various parts of the country in recent times. John Kirby, Coordinator for Strategic Communications at the National Security Council in the White House addressed the press to clear their stance. 

"There is no excuse for violence, certainly based on race or gender or religion or any other factor. That's just unacceptable here in the United States," he said. Kirby added that the President is doing "everything he can" to thwart the attacks and hold the perpetrators accountable. Several deaths of Indians in the US, mostly immigrant students, have been reported recently.