Ottawa– An Indian student who had been missing for four days in Canada was found dead under unexplained circumstances, the Indian High Commission in Ottawa confirmed on Monday.
The student, identified as Vanshika, was the daughter of Devinder Singh, an Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader from Dera Bassi, Punjab. She had moved to Ottawa two and a half years ago to pursue higher education.
“We are deeply saddened to be informed of the death of Ms. Vanshika, a student from India in Ottawa,” the High Commission posted on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter). “The matter has been taken up with the concerned authorities, and the cause is under investigation as per local police. We are in close contact with the bereaved family and local community associations to provide all possible assistance.”
Vanshika was reported missing on April 25 after she left her residence at 7 Majestic Drive around 8–9 PM to view a rental room, according to a letter the Hindu community in Ottawa sent to the Ottawa Police Service. Her phone was last active around 11:40 PM that night, and she failed to appear for an important exam the following day — an action her family described as highly unusual.
The Hindu community expressed deep concern over her disappearance, noting growing anxiety within the local Indian and Hindu communities. In their letter, they urged Ottawa Police to escalate the investigation, citing the troubling circumstances and Vanshika’s vulnerability.
“We are deeply worried and, frankly, fearing the worst,” the letter stated. “The Hindu community in Ottawa is distressed, and the anxiety continues to grow with each passing hour. We respectfully request personal attention and intervention in this matter. A swift and thorough response could make a critical difference.”
Before the tragic discovery, the Indian High Commission had posted a missing person alert and said it was coordinating efforts with Indo-Canadian community organizations and local authorities.
The circumstances surrounding Vanshika’s death remain unclear, and local police have launched an investigation to determine the cause. (Source: IANS)
