In a tragic incident that has sent shockwaves across both Canada and India, 21-year-old Vanshika Saini, an Indian student from Punjab and daughter of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Davinder Saini, was found dead under mysterious circumstances near a beach in Ottawa, Canada. Her disappearance and subsequent death have stirred deep concern among Indian diaspora, political leaders, and her grieving family, with growing calls for a thorough investigation.
Who Was Vanshika Saini?
Vanshika Saini hailed from Dera Bassi, a town in Punjab, and was the daughter of Davinder Saini, a close aide of AAP MLA Kuljit Singh Randhawa. Described as a bright and high-achieving student, Vanshika moved to Canada after completing her Class XII education to pursue a two-year diploma course. She had been living and studying in Ottawa for the past two and a half years.
During her time in Canada, she was known to be academically strong. She had completed her final examinations on April 18, 2025, and had taken up part-time work at a call centre while preparing for the IELTS examination scheduled for April 25.
Timeline of Disappearance
According to multiple sources:
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April 22: Vanshika left her rented accommodation to go to work and was last contacted by her father on this day.
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She did not return home that night.
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Her phone was switched off around 11:40 PM.
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April 25: She missed her scheduled IELTS exam—something her friends described as entirely out of character.
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Concerned friends tried to reach her but found her mobile unresponsive for days.
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Her disappearance prompted an immediate response from the local Indian community.
Community and Official Response
The Ottawa Indo-Canadians Association (OICA) posted a missing person alert on Facebook on Sunday, April 27, appealing to the public for any leads. The Hindu community in Ottawa also joined the search efforts.
The Indian High Commission in Canada was actively involved and confirmed the discovery of her body:
“We are deeply saddened to be informed of the death of Ms. Vanshika, a student from India in Ottawa. The matter has been taken up with concerned authorities and the cause is under investigation as per local police,” the embassy stated.
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… https://t.co/7f4v8uGtuk— India in Canada (@HCI_Ottawa) April 28, 2025
Discovery and Current Investigation
Vanshika’s body was reportedly found near a beach in Ottawa after she had been missing for three to four days, depending on different accounts. The exact cause of death is still under investigation by local law enforcement authorities.
A postmortem examination has been conducted, though results have yet to be made public. The circumstances surrounding her death are being closely scrutinized by officials in both countries.
Family's Allegations and Political Reactions
The family of Vanshika Saini strongly suspects foul play, asserting that she was murdered. They are urging Canadian authorities to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the incident.
Back home in India, MLA Kuljit Singh Randhawa expressed his sorrow, stating:
“We are deeply saddened by Vanshika’s death. She was a topper in her school in Dera Bassi and had been doing well in Canada. Davinder is a close associate and is in charge of my office. This is a huge loss for us too.”
He also revealed that he had personally reached out to fellow ministers including Raj Kumar Chabbewal and Balbir Singh Seechewal to expedite the process of repatriating Vanshika’s body to India.
A String of Indian Student Deaths in Canada
Vanshika Saini’s death is not an isolated case. Just days before her tragic passing, another Indian student, Harsimrat Randhawa, lost her life in a shootout between two vehicles in Canada. Vanshika is now one of at least five Indian students who have died under distressing circumstances in Canada over the past four months.
This disturbing trend has heightened anxiety among Indian families with children studying abroad and has sparked fresh debates over student safety and support systems in foreign countries.
The tragic death of Vanshika Saini underscores the growing concerns about the safety of international students in Canada. As her family awaits answers and justice, both Indian and Canadian authorities are being pressed to ensure a thorough investigation is carried out. Meanwhile, the Indian community mourns the loss of a young, talented life that was full of promise but cut short under deeply troubling circumstances.
With inputs from agencies
Image Source: Multiple agencies
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