Indian Student Found Dead In US, Went To Ohio In 2023 For Master’s

The Indian consulate in New York announced today that Mohammed Abdul Arfath, a 25-year-old student from Hyderabad who moved to the US in 2023 for his Master’s degree at Cleveland State University, has been discovered deceased. Arfath had been missing for almost three weeks, and the consulate had previously stated that they were coordinating with local authorities and Arfath’s family to locate him. This morning, the consulate confirmed his tragic demise in Cleveland, Ohio.

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Consulate’s Response and Support Efforts for Mohammed Abdul Arfath’s Tragic Demise

“Anguished to learn that Mr. Mohammed Abdul Arfath, for whom search operation was underway, was found dead in Cleveland, Ohio. Our deepest condolences to Mr Mohammed Arfath’s family,” the consulate said in a post on X.

“@IndiainNewYork is in touch with local agencies to ensure thorough investigation into Mr Mohammed Abdul Arfath’s death. We are extending all possible assistance to the bereaved family to transport his mortal remains to India,” it added.

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Father’s Account of Communication and Extortion Demands

Arfath’s father Mohammed Saleem said they last spoke on March 7 and then his cellphone was switched off. On March 19, Mr Saleem received a call from an unidentified person, who said Arfath had been kidnapped by a gang selling drugs and demanded $1,200.

“I got a call from an unknown number, and the caller informed me that my son had been kidnapped and demanded money. The caller did not mention the mode of payment. When I asked the caller to let us talk to my son, he refused,” Mr Saleem told news agency PTI.

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Concerns Over Indian Student Deaths in the US

The successive deaths of Indian and Indian-origin students in the US this year have stirred shock and concern among Indian students residing in the US and their families back in India. Among those who have passed away, Vivek Saini, aged 25, was brutally attacked and killed by a homeless drug addict, while 27-year-old Venkataramana Pittala lost his life in a watercraft accident. The reasons behind the deaths of several other students remain unconfirmed.

The United States remains a popular choice for Indian students seeking higher education opportunities. According to US statistics, more than 260,000 Indian students migrated to the country during the 2022-2023 academic session, marking a significant 35 percent increase from the previous session.

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