Two Indian students were murdered in Toronto within a span of one week, raising concerns over the safety of Indian nationals in the Canadian city and prompting urgent diplomatic intervention.
On Tuesday, 20-year-old doctoral student Shivank Avasthi was found with a gunshot wound near the University of Toronto’s Scarborough Campus. The incident marked Toronto’s 41st homicide of the year. Police said the suspect fled the scene before their arrival and are seeking public assistance to apprehend him.
“On Tuesday, at approximately 3:34 pm, police responded to reports of a person with serious injuries in the Highland Creek Trail and Old Kingston Road area. The male victim was pronounced deceased on scene,” the Toronto Police Department said.
Last week, 30-year-old Himanshi Khurana, an Indian woman, was found murdered at a residence in Toronto’s Strachan Avenue and Wellington Street W. area. Police have issued a warrant for Abdul Ghafoori, 32, Khurana’s former partner, in connection with the killing.
India expressed “deep anguish” over both deaths. In a statement on X, the Consulate General of India in Toronto said, “We express deep anguish over the tragic death of a young Indian doctoral student, Mr Shivank Avasthi, in a fatal shooting incident… The Consulate is in touch with the bereaved family during this difficult time, and is extending all necessary assistance in close coordination with the local authorities.”
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The Consulate also reiterated its support to the family of Himanshi Khurana, saying, “We are deeply saddened and shocked by the murder… All possible assistance is being extended to the family in close coordination with local authorities.”
The back-to-back incidents within a week have drawn widespread attention in the Indian community in Toronto and underline the ongoing concern for the safety of Indian students in foreign cities. Authorities are urging anyone with information about the shootings to contact Toronto Police or Crime Stoppers.
Official data shows that deaths of Indian students abroad have been a continuing concern in recent years. According to figures presented by the Ministry of External Affairs, at least 633 Indian students have died in foreign countries over the past five years, with Canada accounting for the highest number of fatalities (172), followed by the United States (108), the United Kingdom (58) and Australia (57). These deaths, arising from accidents, natural causes, health emergencies and some violent incidents, occurred across more than 40 countries.
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