Dera Bassi (Punjab): The death of Vanshika, a 21-year-old student from Dera Bassi, Punjab, has sent shockwaves through the Indo-Canadian community after her body was discovered on a beach near Ottawa under what the family describes as suspicious circumstances.
Vanshika had moved to Canada two and a half years ago to pursue higher education after completing her 12th grade in India. According to her father, Davinder Saini, a local leader of the Aam Aadmi Party and close aide of MLA Kuljit Singh Randhawa, she had recently appeared for her final exams and was preparing for her IELTS test, scheduled for April 26.
Saini told ANI that he last spoke to his daughter on April 22, when she was on her way to work. However, the following morning, the family received word that Vanshika had gone missing. Concerned friends in Canada also began contacting her repeatedly, but her phone remained switched off.
“She wanted to achieve great things in life,” said Saini. “When she didn’t return home and missed her scheduled exam, her friends grew alarmed. We were later informed that her body was found near a beach. We strongly suspect foul play and are urging the Indian government to intervene and ensure a thorough investigation.”
According to reports, Vanshika’s friends had contacted a local Member of Parliament in Canada, who issued alerts and initiated a search. After days of uncertainty, her body was located near a waterfront in the Ottawa area.
The High Commission of India in Ottawa confirmed the incident and stated in a post on X (formerly Twitter):
“We are deeply saddened to be informed of the death of 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 family is now requesting the Indian government’s support to expedite the repatriation of her body and to press Canadian authorities for a transparent and urgent investigation.
Vanshika had been studying and working part-time in Ottawa, like many international students striving to build a future abroad. Her sudden death has not only raised serious questions about her safety but also sparked grief within student communities across Canada and India.
As the investigation continues, her family, friends, and the wider Indian diaspora await answers—and justice.