Key Points
- 21-year-old Indian student Vanshika Saini from Punjab was found dead under mysterious circumstances on an Ottawa beach after being missing for four days.
- Vanshika, daughter of AAP leader Davinder Saini, had gone out to view a rental room on April 25 and never returned; her phone was switched off later that night.
- The Indian High Commission in Ottawa has confirmed her death and is coordinating with local authorities and Vanshika’s family; the cause of death remains under investigation.
- Vanshika’s family suspects foul play and has appealed for a comprehensive investigation and swift repatriation of her body to India.
- Her death comes amid a spate of tragedies involving Indian students in Canada, including the recent fatal shooting of Harsimrat Randhawa in Hamilton.
Ottawa: The Indian community in Canada and Punjab is reeling after the tragic discovery of 21-year-old Vanshika Saini’s body on a beach in Ottawa. Vanshika, a native of Dera Bassi, Punjab, and daughter of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Davinder Saini, had been missing since April 25. She had left her accommodation at 7 Majestic Drive around 8–9 pm that evening to view a rental room and never returned.
Her phone was switched off at approximately 11:40 pm, and she failed to appear for an important exam the next day-a move described by friends and family as completely out of character for the diligent student. Vanshika had moved to Canada two and a half years ago to pursue a diploma and had recently completed her final exams, while also working part-time at a call centre and a private clinic.
Search Operation and Community Appeals
Alarmed by her sudden disappearance, Vanshika’s friends and the Ottawa Indo-Canadians Association quickly alerted local authorities and the Indian High Commission. The Hindu Community in Ottawa wrote to the police, urging them to prioritize the investigation and expressing deep concern for her safety. Despite extensive search efforts, there was no trace of Vanshika until her body was found on the beach four days later.
Family and Official Response
Vanshika’s family, devastated by the loss, has called for a thorough investigation. Her father, Davinder Saini, emphasized that Vanshika was ambitious, a class topper, and had no reason to harm herself. The family suspects foul play and has appealed to both Indian and Canadian authorities for justice and for her body to be brought home swiftly.
The Indian High Commission in Ottawa expressed condolences and assured the family of all possible support. In a statement, the mission confirmed it is in close contact with local authorities and community associations as the investigation continues.
Recent Spate of Indian Student Tragedies in Canada
Vanshika’s death is the latest in a series of tragic incidents involving Indian students in Canada. Just ten days earlier, 21-year-old Harsimrat Randhawa, a student at Mohawk College in Hamilton, was killed by a stray bullet while waiting at a bus stop-an innocent bystander caught in crossfire during a shootout between vehicles. Earlier this month, another Indian national was fatally stabbed near Ottawa, highlighting growing concerns about the safety of international students in Canada.
Vanshika Saini’s mysterious death has sent shockwaves through both the Indian and Indo-Canadian communities, intensifying calls for improved safety measures and transparent investigations into the rising number of tragedies affecting Indian students abroad. The official probe into the circumstances of her death is ongoing, with her family and community demanding answers and justice.
