The tragic death of Mohammad Abdul Arfath, a 25-year-old Indian student pursuing a Master's degree in Information Technology at Cleveland University, has deeply saddened his family and the Indian community both in the United States and abroad.
Arfath, hailing from Hyderabad, went missing since March 7, leaving his family in distress. His father expressed concern as he had lost contact with Arfath, and his phone was switched off.
The situation took a grim turn when Arfath's family received a ransom call on March 19, claiming that he had been kidnapped by a drug-selling gang. The caller demanded $1,200 for his release and even threatened to sell Arfath's kidneys if the ransom wasn't paid.
Despite efforts by Arfath's family and the Indian consulate in New York to locate him, the worst fears were realized when his body was discovered in Cleveland, Ohio. The consulate has assured full cooperation with local authorities to investigate the circumstances of Arfath's death thoroughly.
This tragic incident adds to the growing concern over the safety and security of Indian and Indian-origin students in the United States. Arfath's case marks the 11th such incident in 2024, highlighting the urgency of addressing the underlying issues contributing to these unfortunate events.
The Indian-American community, along with authorities both in the United States and India, must work together to ensure the safety and well-being of students studying abroad. Such tragedies underscore the need for enhanced security measures and support systems to protect students from harm and provide assistance in times of crisis.
