Latest news with #VanshikaSaini
CBC
06-05-2025
- CBC
Indian community mourns student death in Ottawa
Social Sharing The family of an Indian international student who died in Ottawa late last month is mourning her loss, with some questioning how the investigation has been handled while the immediate family asks others to "refrain from sharing unverified details." Vanshika Saini was a 21-year-old student about to graduate from Algonquin College with a degree in health administration. Her body was found on April 27 at Dick Bell Park. Police said foul play is not suspected. On Monday, Ottawa Police sent out a news release with a lengthy statement they attributed to the Saini family. In the statement, the Saini family said only the immediate family is receiving updates and speaking with investigators. "From the earliest moments of her disappearance, the Ottawa Police Service has been in regular and consistent contact with our immediate family," the statement read. "Please understand this is deeply personal and while we continue to heal as a family, we are confident that the police have approached this case with thoughtfulness, diligence, and a sincere commitment to keeping us informed from the outset." "We kindly ask that people refrain from sharing unverified details, as doing so only deepens an already painful time for our family and compounds our grief," the statement read. The family notes some individuals who have spoken publicly are not directly involved in ongoing communications with police. Some in community had questions On Sunday, Saini's cousin Deepkaur said she and other family members had been given inconsistent answers about the circumstances of Saini's death, with OPS saying at different times that she'd been found at Britannia Beach, at Dick Bell Park and even that she'd been pulled directly from the water. In addition to when and where her body was found, the family wants other answers, Deepkaur said, like why Saini left her apartment that night and what happened next. "We are living like hell over here, and we don't know anything," she said. "No one here is eating properly, no one is sleeping properly.… We just want answers about what had happened to her — why and when and how." On Sunday, a small group gathered at Dick Bell Park to both mourn Saini and echo the family's call for more answers. "There was no alert. Nobody was told to look for this young girl," said Rasna Arora, who said they have been in contact with some members of Saini's family and organized the gathering. OPS had earlier issued a statement Sunday morning acknowledging the community's concerns about how the case was handled. "Each case receives careful consideration, and this one was no exception," it said. "We can assure the community that it was approached with professionalism, urgency, and a deep sense of responsibility from the outset." News made headlines in India Arora said news of Saini's death had made headlines in India. "There are people [in those articles] saying, 'We told you, don't send your child to Canada, don't send them to Ottawa, our children are not safe,'" Arora said. "That's not true, but that is the perception that's going to stay there unless we come up and say, 'No, we do care about people who come here.'" Saini's body is expected to be repatriated to India by Wednesday, Arora added. Bay ward Coun. Theresa Kavanagh, who represents the area where Saini's body was found, said police had told her that they don't believe there's any risk to public safety. "It's more complicated because she's from another country," Kavanagh told CBC. "It's very difficult to get details about what happened." In the meantime, Saini's family is mourning her from afar. "I don't have any words [to describe] how the current situation is here," Deepkaur said. "You can just imagine a family who had a lot of dreams for their daughter."
Ottawa Citizen
05-05-2025
- Ottawa Citizen
Stop spreading 'unverified details' about Vanshika Saini's death, family says
Vanshika Saini's family is urging people to stop sharing 'unverified details' about their daughter's death, saying only the immediate family is receiving updates and speaking with investigators. Article content Article content Saini's body was found on April 27 at Dick Bell Park on Carling Avenue, one day after the Ottawa Indo-Canadians Association put out a missing person alert on their Facebook group. According to the post, Saini left her residence at around 8 p.m. on the evening of the April 25 to look for a room for rent and did not return home. Her phone was switched off and she missed an important exam that day, which the group said was very unusual for her. Article content Article content In an email exchange with the Ottawa Citizen on May 2, police said the investigation is still ongoing and 'there is no evidence of foul play at this time.' Article content Article content Saini was 21 years old. Article content 'We are heartbroken by the loss of our beloved daughter, Vanshika. She was a bright light in our lives — kind, compassionate, and full of potential. Her absence leaves a void that can never be filled. We will carry her in our hearts always,' a statement sent by the Ottawa Police Service on behalf of Saini's family read. Article content 'From the earliest moments of her disappearance, the Ottawa Police Service has been in regular and consistent contact with our immediate family. We are grateful for the compassion, dedication and sensitivity they have shown, and we are satisfied with the communication and updates we have received throughout this incredibly difficult time.' Article content Her death sent shockwaves through the Indian community. The High Commission of India in Ottawa said in a tweet on April 28 that they were informed of her death and have reached out to her family and local community associations to provide 'all possible assistance.' Article content Article content A vigil commemorating Saini was also held Sunday afternoon at Dick Bell Park. Article content Article content Saini's parents have previously expressed concerns to Indian media and the CBC about delays in the process and asked for official intervention. They were also looking at ways to repatriate her body back to India. Article content 'She was preparing for her IELTS exam scheduled for 26 April. I want the Indian government to talk to Canadian authorities and speed up the process of bringing her body back. I also demand a proper investigation to be carried out,' her father, Davinder Saini, said, according to reporting from the Times of India. Article content 'To help clarify how missing person reports are reviewed, the OPS follows a structured process to evaluate risk and determine the appropriate investigative response. This includes considering a range of factors such as age, medical or mental health needs, and any signs that the individual may be in immediate danger,' the statement read.
United News of India
29-04-2025
- Politics
- United News of India
21-yr-old Indian student, daughter of AAP leader, found dead in Ottawa
Ottawa/New Delhi, Apr 29 (UNI) A 21-year-old Indian student in Ottawa, Canada, the daughter of an AAP leader from Punjab, has been found dead. Vanshika Saini, the daughter of AAP leader Davinder Saini, was from Dera Bassi in Punjab. She had gone missing since April 25. Her body was found on the beach near her college. The Indian High Commission in Ottawa said on X that the matter is under investigation. 'We are deeply saddened to be informed of the death of Ms. Vanshika, student from India in Ottawa. 'The matter has been taken up with concerned authorities and the cause is under investigation as per local police. 'We are in close contact with the bereaved kin and local community associations to provide all possible assistance. 'A massive search effort had been underway since the student, Vanshika, went missing on April 25.' Earlier, the HCI posted about her going missing. 'HCI Ottawa is in touch with local partner Indo Canadian community associations and concerned authorities regarding a missing person alert for an Indian student in Ottawa. If any one has any information, please provide the same to the contacts as given below', it said with links to its facebook page. Gurjeet Singh Aujla, Congress Lok Sabha MP from Amritsar, condoled the death on X: 'Deeply saddened by the tragic and mysterious death of Vanshika Saini a bright student from Derabassi, Punjab, found dead in Ottawa. My thoughts are with her family, especially her father Mr Devinder Singh ji of @AamAadmiParty. 'Urging @HCI_Ottawa & Canadian authorities for a thorough, transparent investigation.' Vanshika had been studying in Ottawa for the past two and a half years. A grieving Davinder Saini, an aide to AAP MLA Kuljit Singh Randhawa, told the media: "My daughter Vanshika went to Ottawa in 2023... She wanted to win big in life... The last I talked to her was on 25 April when she was on her way to work... On the morning of 26 April, I received a message that she has gone missing... She was preparing for her IELTS exam.' According to reports, she had left her residence at 7 Majestic Drive between 8 and 9 pm to check out a rental room. Her phone was reportedly switched off by 11:40 pm the same night. Alarm bells were raised the next day when she failed to show up for the IELTS examination. Worried by her sudden disappearance, the Hindu community in Ottawa wrote a formal letter to the Ottawa Police urging immediate intervention. Vanshika had left for Canada after completing her Class 12. She had finished her final examinations on April 18 and was pursuing a part-time job at a call center in Ottawa. UNI RN
NDTV
29-04-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
"She Cannot Take Her Life": Family Of Indian Student Who Died In Canada
The death of 21-year-old Vanshika Saini has shocked her family. They believe she did not take her own life and seek justice urgently. Vanshika's body was found on a beach; the cause of death is under investigation. The mysterious death of 21-year-old Vanshika Saini, an Indian student studying in Canada, has left the family in shock. The family says they are sure their beloved daughter could not have taken her life. Alleging wrongdoing, the Saini family seeks justice and the homecoming of their child's body at the earliest. Vanshika was the daughter of Devinder Singh Saini, an AAP leader and a close aide of MLA Kuljit Singh Randhawa. A native of Dera Bassi in Punjab, Vanshika reportedly moved to Ottawa two and a half years ago, after completing schooling, to pursue a diploma course. "Meri vanshu esi nahi thi. Kisi ne usko maara hai. (My Vanshika was not like this. Someone has killed her," said Babita, Vanshika's aunt, while speaking to NDTV. "There is no chance she could take her life. She wanted to be a doctor and create a name for herself and her family," she added. After completing her final year exams on April 18, Vanshika started working and was meant to sit for the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), scheduled for April 26. When Vanshika didn't appear for the exam, her friend tried contacting her, but the phone was constantly switched off. The family was informed, as it was very unlike Vanshika to miss an important exam. "We asked her flatmates and learnt that Vanshika left the house on April 25, around 9:30 pm. YouTube history shows that she watched videos related to IELTS till 11 pm after which her phone was switched off. We don't have any details after that. Her mobile phone was last located at a park near her house," said her uncle. On Monday morning, the family learnt that Vanshika's body had been found on a beach. The cause of death is uncertain, and the investigation is underway. "Vanshika was a topper. She was made class monitor within 10 days of starting college in Canada. She wanted to become something. She wanted to create a name for herself. We don't know what happened," said Mr Singh, while speaking to NDTV. The High Commission of India in Ottawa has expressed condolences to the family and ensured all possible support to the family. "We are deeply saddened to be informed of the death of Ms. Vanshika, student from India in Ottawa. The matter has been taken up with concerned authorities and the cause is under investigation as per local police. We are in close contact with the bereaved kin and local community associations to provide all possible assistance," the High Commission of India in Ottawa wrote. We are deeply saddened to be informed of the death of Ms. Vanshika, student from India in Ottawa. The matter has been taken up with concerned authorities and the cause is under investigation as per local police. We are in close contact with the bereaved kin and local community… — India in Canada (@HCI_Ottawa) April 28, 2025 "We appeal to the government to send the body to India at the earliest. Our daughter should be sent back home," said Meena, another aunt. Vanshika's uncle has also appealed to the Canadian government to get to the bottom of the case, interrogate friends and conduct trials and understand what happened. "The perpetrator should be punished," he said.
Mint
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Mint
Indian student Vanshika Saini found dead in Canada, police investigation on, Embassy says ‘in close contact…'
An Indian student Vanshika Saini, who had gone missing in the province of Ottawa, has been found dead, according to the Indian High Commission in Canada. No details about how she died were available at time of writing. In a post on social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter) by the official Embassy account on April 29, it said: 'We are deeply saddened to be informed of the death of Ms. Vanshika, student from India in Ottawa. The matter has been taken up with concerned authorities and the cause is under investigation as per local police. We are in close contact with the bereaved kin and local community associations to provide all possible assistance. (sic)' According to a Facebook post by the Ottawa Indo-Canadians Association (OICA), Vanshika Saini had left her house at around 8-9 pm on April 25, to look for rental rooms and did not return home. 'Her phone has been switched off, and she missed an important exam today, which is very unusual for her. Vanshika is usually in regular contact with her family and friends every morning, but since last night, no one has heard from her. All her friends are unaware of her current location,' the post added. It further solicited information from anyone with knowledge via email and phone number. According to reports, Vanshika Saini was 21-years-old, and had moved to Canada around two and a half years ago for a two-year health diploma course after completing Class XII in her home town. She was through her final exams on April 18 and started working part-time with a call centre in Ottawa. She is reportedly the daughter of Davinder Saini, a local Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader, bloc president, and party MLA Kuljit Singh Randhawa's close aide incharge of his office. He resides at Saini Mohalla, Dera Bassi — a satellite city of Chandigarh and a municipal council in Mohali district, Punjab. Davinder reportedly suspects foul play in his daughter's death and came to know of her disappearance on April 25 when her friend got in touch with the family. He last spoke to Vanshika on April 22, after which her phone had been switched off. Earlier on April 16, 21-year-old Harsimrat Randhawa, a student at Mohawk College in Hamilton, Ontario was killed by a stray bullet while waiting at a bus stop, and shots were fired from a passing car, PTI reported. Harsimrat Randhawa was hit in the chest and rushed to a nearby hospital, but succumbed, it added. The Punjab native was on her way to work when the incident happened. During investigations, Hamilton Police called her an innocent bystander affected by the shooting incident near Upper James and South Bend Road streets at around 7.30 pm local time.
