The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated that New Delhi is in contact with local authorities to investigate the killing of an Indian-origin student near his university campus in Canada. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal mentioned that the Indian consulate is providing assistance to the victim’s family. The 20-year-old student, Shivank Avasthi, pursuing doctoral studies at the University of Toronto’s Scarborough campus, was shot on Tuesday.
The Canadian Police have initiated a manhunt following the incident and have urged the public to share any relevant information. Toronto Police reported that the victim was found with a gunshot wound on Tuesday afternoon, marking the city’s 41st homicide case of the year. The suspect(s) had fled the scene before the police arrived. MEA also addressed another incident involving the death of an Indian-origin man due to a suspected cardiac arrest while waiting for treatment at a hospital in Canada.
In response to queries, Jaiswal clarified that the individual, Prashant Sreekumar, was of Indian origin but a Canadian national. The responsibility for the matter, therefore, lies with the Canadian government. Sreekumar, aged 44, passed away in an Edmonton hospital emergency room waiting area after experiencing severe chest pains at work. Despite informing hospital staff about his intense pain, he was made to wait for over eight hours before collapsing in the treatment area.
