Tragic Loss: Indian Student Found Dead in US After Disappearance

The Indian consulate in New York confirmed today the unfortunate demise of Mohammed Abdul Arfath, a 25-year-old student from Hyderabad who had been pursuing his Master’s degree at Cleveland State University since 2023. Arfath had been missing for nearly three weeks before his body was discovered.

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

“@IndiainNewYork is in touch with local agencies to ensure a 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,” the statement continued.

Arfath’s father, Mohammed Saleem, recounted their last conversation on March 7, after which Arfath’s phone remained switched off. On March 19, Saleem received a distressing call from an unidentified individual claiming Arfath had been abducted by a drug-trafficking gang, demanding a ransom of $1,200.

The series of unfortunate incidents involving the deaths of Indian students in the US has sent shockwaves through the Indian student community and their families back in India. The circumstances surrounding the deaths, including that of 25-year-old Vivek Saini, who was fatally assaulted by a homeless drug addict, and 27-year-old Venkataramana Pittala, who died in a watercraft accident, remain under investigation.

Despite the recent tragedies, the US remains a favored destination for Indian students pursuing higher education. The US witnessed a significant increase in Indian student migration, with over 2.6 lakh students relocating to the country during the 2022-2023 academic session, marking a 35% surge from the previous session.